JAKARTA: Chinese Ambassador to Jakarta Wang Lutong has praised and congratulated Indonesia on the birth of the first panda cub in Indonesia at the Indonesia Safari Park (TSI) in Cisarua, Bogor regency, West Java, highlighting the two countries' close bilateral cooperation in natural resources conservation.
“The successful birth of a panda cub from female panda Hu Chun residing in Indonesia was the result of a joint effort between Chinese and Indonesian experts in panda breeding and the professional dedication and meticulous care given by TSI,” Wang said on Tuesday (Jan 6), as quoted by the Chinese embassy.
“The panda cub’s birth is also a symbol of deep friendship between China and Indonesia, realising our best hopes for peace, friendship and cooperation as well as becoming an example of a successful bilateral cooperation.”
Wang was speaking during the Public Announcement of the First Giant Panda Cub Born in Indonesia event at the TSI on Tuesday.
Attendees viewed a video on health examination of the 40-day panda cub. The event was also attended by Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, TSI cofounder Jansen Manangsang, baby care experts from the China Conservation and Research Center of Giant Panda and conservationists.
Wang said that China prioritises protection of ecological resources and biodiversity and has reaped results from deep cooperation with Indonesian on protection of endangered species, coral reef and mangrove restoration and plant breeding and protection of genetic resources.
President Prabowo Subianto named the panda cub, born to Cai To (male) and Hu Chun (female), Satria Wiratama, which means Virtuous Knight. His Chinese name is Li Ao with a nickname of Rio, the Forestry Ministry said in a separate press release.
Wang also said that he had informed Chinese President Xi Jinping of the panda birth and that Xi was very proud with the achievement.
“Rio will bring more success and fortunes for the Indonesian President and the Indonesian people,” he said, as quoted by the ministry’s release.
Meanwhile, Raja Juli said the presence of the giant panda cub was more than just a birth but concrete evidence of environmental diplomacy and international scientific collaboration, which have been built sustainably between China and Indonesia.
“This is a happy day because today [Tuesday] is the 40th day of the panda cub’s birth in Indonesia,” he said in the ministry’s statement.
“The panda cub’s birth is not only good news for Indonesia but also for the world. This emphasises that conservation can walk hand in hand with diplomacy, intercountry friendship and scientific advancement.” Raja Juli also said that he received information from Jansen that the process to bring the panda to Indonesia started during the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
“The panda couple Cai Tao and Hu Chun arrived in 2017 during the leadership of Joko Widodo,” he said. “
And now, the birth of the panda cub in TSI was during Prabowo’s presidency.”
Indonesia Safari Park Group (TSIG) cofounder Jansen, who also pioneered panda breeding in Indonesia, said the achievement not only emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to actively contribute in conservation efforts of the giant panda but also TSI’s successful conservation approach based on science, long-term scientific discipline and world-class animal welfare standards.
“TSI prioritises four aspects of deepening international ecological cooperation, cross-cultural integration, pushing for cross-country scientific research and technology and industrial development,” he said.
Jansen added that conservation research is an integral part of TSIG conservation pillar and has become the foundation for education and recreation programmes.
Through this approach, TSIG has built a sustainable conservation ecosystem, integrating responsible scientific research, animal welfare governance and increasing the public conservation literacy. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
