The passing of Taiwan's giant panda, Tuan Tuan, gifted by Beijing in 2008, is a reminder that cordial relations existed between the island and the mainland so long ago. RIP Tuan Tuan.

Mainland giant panda Tuan Tuan dies under anesthesia at Taipei Zoo, mourned as representative of goodwill for cross-Straits bonds
By Zhang Han and Du Qiongfang Published: Nov 19, 2022 05:49 PM
Photo VCG
Male giant panda Tuan Tuan, who was gifted by the Chinese mainland to the island of Taiwan in 2008, passed away while under anaesthesia at 1:48 pm on Saturday at Taipei Zoo.

Tuan Tuan suffered three seizures on Saturday and was heavily medicated. They symptoms did not ease until extra doses were administered. Zoo veterinarians finally decided to let the animal pass away, Xinhua reported.

When asked about whether the euthanasia decision was made after communication with the mainland, spokesperson of the zoo said at a Saturday press briefing that the time did not allow. But the two sides have been in close contact in past days when Tuan Tuan's situation deteriorated rapidly.

The zoo said that it had hoped to administer anti-seizure medicine to treat Tuan Tuan's, but after testing, Tuan Tuan's physiological indicators were deemed irreversible. Leaving the zoo to decide to "let him go" in his sleep without suffering.

Tsao Hsien-shao, a spokesperson for the zoo, told the Global Times that condolence events will be held. But Tuan Tuan's death was rather sudden and condolence events need some time to be prepared.

There might be further checks and studies on Tuan Tuan's disease and Tsao said the zoo will try the best to preserve the body of Tuan Tuan, who represented the most harmonious and positive period for cross-Straits relations.

The Taipei Zoo will also try to use a new technology to preserve live cells into the biobank, Tsao said.

Some mainland netizens called for the panda to be returned to its hometown in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council on Saturday expressed sympathy and sadness over Tuan Tuan's untimely passing. "We appreciate expert teams in both sides of the Straits and Taipei Zoo's efforts to rescue the panda and hope the two sides can continue exchanges and cooperation on panda preservation," said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson from the office.

After Tuan Tuan's death was announced, a related hashtag immediately topped searches on popular social media platform Sina Weibo, accumulating nearly 100 million views in one and a half hours.

People expressed their condolences and thanked the panda as a messenger of cross-Straits bonds.

Tuan Tuan and his partner Yuan Yuan were sent to the island of Taiwan in 2008. Yuan Yuan gave birth in 2013 and 2020 respectively to two cubs named Yuan Zai and Yuan Bao.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan's settling down in Taiwan marked the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations. They have brought about joy and beautiful memories to Taiwan compatriots, Zhu noted.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202211/1279926.shtml