China sends two pandas to Taiwan

As a gesture of goodwill, China is sending two pandas to Taiwan.

The final two were chosen out of 23 pandas overall from the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center. The pair of giant pandas are a "couple" and are currently named Number 16 (left, female) and Number 19 (right, male.)

A shortlist of ten [names] will be announced January 28 and the final two names will be subject to the result of a public vote.

Some more pics:

Comments

[Sandra Parshall]

Wolong is so crowded with young pandas that it's hard to imagine them making room for Tai Shan and Su Lin 18 months from now. You will notice that Su Lin's older brother is still in San Diego, well past his second birthday. I think Su Lin and Tai Shan would make a delightful couple for some US zoo. But the Chinese really must bring down the price.

[Tanuki]

Well, they *might* be going to Taiwan. There's still a debate on, last I heard. After all, this may not be a "good will gesture". China is getting altogether too insistent that Taiwan is not a separate country.