return from the u.s. to china symbolic, not of growing friendship, but growing animosity between two global superpowers. selina wing, cnn, beijing. china s foreign ministry cleared up some of the controversy on wednesday, saying that ya ya was treated just fine. [speaking non-english] translator: the memphis zoo, has a relatively sound management system. operation procedures, and ya ya has been under great care throughout her skepticism. she s deeply loved by the american people. the cooperative research and giant pandas has facilitated the protection of the animal. public education, and people to people exchanges. ten as willing to continue working with other partners. the u.s. side included, to make contribution to the conservation of endangered species. aaron rodgers has officially been introduced as the new york jets a new quarterback, the four-time nfl in the heads to new york after 18 seasons in
center of angry debate in china. this panda in memphis, tennessee, has become the latest victim in worsening u.s./china tensions. ya ya arrived in america with her playmate lila two decades ago as a emblem of growing bilaterally friendship but now the panda looking skinny with scraggly fur has sparked outrage in china. some accusing the zoo of mistreatment. videos on chinese social media claiming the pandas are being accused quickly went viral against the backdrop of growing anti-american sentntntnt the rumors often fanned by state propaganda. and, meanwhile, chinese social media users are praising these viral videos of this panda in russia claiming videos that the active and playful panda prove russia is taking excellent care
pandas on loan to 20 countries and the united states has not seen one since ya ya and lila 20 years. the pandas are loaned on ten-year leases and cost $1 million annually. the american zoo planned to send ya ya back to china this spring but lill died of heart disease two months ago at the age of 24. the life span for pandas is usually under 30 years but it didn t stop rampant talk about accelerating to bring ya ya back to china. the message? even featured on billboards from new york city to major cities across china. in 1972 during u.s. president richard nixon s historic trip to china, his wife visited pandas in beijing. on behalf of the people of the united states, i am pleased to be here and accept the
precious gift. reporter: months later, china sent a pair of pandas to the national zoo in washington, d.c. decades later, this panda s return from the u.s. to china symbolic and not a growing friendship, but grow animosity between two global super powers. selina wang, cnn, diplomacy is business. i didn t know it had blown up so much in china. they say ya ya was treated just fine. translator: the memphis zoo has a relatively sound management system and operation procedures and ya ya has been under good care throughout her stay at the memphis zoo. she is deeply loved by the american people. the cooperative research on giant pandas has facilitated the protection of the annual and people-to-people changes and china is willing to work with other partners the u.s. side
of the chinese bear. state tv saying the pandas are helping the russia/china relationship. chinese and american scientists launched a joint investigation including that ya ya has a genetic fur and skin condition that does not impact her quality of life and has received excellent care. but that message is not getting through. outside the panda exhibit at the beijing zoo i asked people if they have heard of ya ya the panda. this man says, yes. she is abused in america. this man says isn t russia taking good care of pandas? pandas are happy over there, not like in the united states. this man with his granddaughter tells me pandas in russia are very happy. why? russians and chinese are friends, at least russia is not sanctioning china. ya ya will soon settle in this beijing zoo. china has long used hits pandas s a diplomatic tool and