New life: Wang (left) speaking in front of a video showing staff tending to Satrio Wiratama displayed on a screen. — AP
Chinese ambassador Wang Lutong has praised Indonesia on the birth of the first panda cub in the country at the Indonesia Safari Park (TSI) in west Java, highlighting the two nations’ close cooperation in natural-resource conservation.
“The successful birth of a panda cub from female panda Hu Chun... 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,” he said on Jan 6, as quoted by the Chinese embassy.
Wang was speaking during an event marking the birth at the TSI that was also attended by Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, TSI co-founder Jansen Manangsang and experts from the China Conservation and Research Centre of Giant Panda.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto named the panda cub Satria Wiratama, which means “virtuous knight”. His Chinese name is Li Ao while his nickname is Rio. Wang said he informed Chinese President Xi Jinping of the panda birth and that the latter is very proud of the achievement. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
