A: Hey, did you hear about something interesting?
B: No, what's up?

A: Well, there was a farewell ceremony for four giant pandas in Japan! They're moving to China tomorrow.
B: Oh, that's sad! I love those cute bears.

A: Yeah, they've been living at a theme park in Shirahama for a while. Four female pandas - Rauhin and her daughters Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin.
B: Wow, that's a lot of pandas! What happened?

A: Their conservation project with China is ending, so they have to go back. The park director said it was tough seeing so many people cry during the ceremony.
B: That must have been hard for everyone involved. What happens now?

A: They're being sent to a panda breeding center in Sichuan Province, China. Only two pandas remain in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, but their agreement ends next February too.
B: I wonder where the rest of the pandas are from Japan will go...

A: Guo Jiakun, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that both countries have had positive cooperation on panda conservation and education, which has helped build understanding between the two nations. He also mentioned they're ready to continue working together for endangered species protection.
B: That's great to hear! I hope Japan gets some new pandas soon!
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About 3,000 visitors to a theme park in western Japan attended a farewell ceremony for four giant pandas on Friday, the day before their departure for China.



The four female pandas -- Rauhin and her daughters Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin -- are part of a joint conservation project with China that is set to expire. They are scheduled to be sent to China from the park in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on Saturday.



The park director, Imazu Koji, spoke about the public's affection for the pandas at the ceremony. He said: "So many people came every day and it made me realize how much people love the pandas. I hope they will see them off so the pandas can live happily in China."



Following his address, footage of the pandas was played on a screen.



Some visitors wiped away tears as they watched footage of Rauhin raising her children over the years.



The pandas will be sent to a panda breeding center in Sichuan Province.



The two giant pandas in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will become the only ones left in Japan, but their loan agreement is scheduled to end next February.



Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a news conference on Friday that Japan and China "have had positive cooperation on giant panda breeding, research, technical exchange and public education." He added, "Such effort has played an important role for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples."



Guo was asked about the future of international giant panda conservation and loaning. He responded, "Looking forward, we stand ready to continue enhancing exchanges and cooperation with Japan and other partners in the world to jointly contribute to the protection of endangered species."