China-taiwan ‘unity’ giant panda dies

TAIPEI: A panda that China gifted to Taiwan 14 years ago as a symbol of what were then warmer ties died on Saturday after suffering a spate of seizures since August, Taipei Zoo said.

Tuan Tuan and his breeding mate Yuan Yuan were given to Taiwan by Beijing in late 2008, at a time when relations between the two were more cordial.

The panda couple – whose names combined mean “reunion” or “unity” – had become stars in Taiwan since being gifted, and Yuan Yuan has since given birth to two female cubs. |