US National Zoo celebrates 'Pandaversary'

Ashley Clarke, a 35-year-old school counselor, came to the zoo from Philadelphia with her family to celebrate her daughter's 12th birthday. Clarke told China Daily she was too excited and cried last year when she saw pandas for the first time, and now her daughter is also a big panda fan.

"We just owe China a debt of gratitude for creating this program and partnering with the US. Everyone is so interested in the conservation effort and and wants to be part of it, and they remember as a kid growing up hearing all were in danger," said Clarke.

There were special events and exhibits at the zoo for ``Pandaversay", including the China embassy serving panda-shaped buns to visitors, lion and gin dances and the debut of a new documentary, The Miracle Panda, telling stories behind the birth of Xiao Qi Ji. It is being shown at the zoo's Visitor Center Theater for a limited time.

The documentary's producer, Nacressa Swan, told China Daily that it was "a privilege and a pleasure" to make the film about how the US and China have been working together for such a long time.

"I think the most impressive thing to me is that the collaboration was really strong between China and America when they have something in common. That is so important, like saving the giant panda. Our countries work together very well," said Swan.

"Also, two years ago, when Xiao Qi Ji was born, we were in the middle of a horrendous pandemic lockdown all over the world, and he brought so much joy and so much happiness to people around the world when he was born. So I think it just helps bring our countries together; science and collaboration mean that we can save this wonderful species and make the world a better place."