On August 8, 2024, the San Diego Zoo held an opening ceremony for its new Panda Ridge habitat. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and his wife Wang Dan, Consul-General of China in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun and his wife Wang Wei, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Wildlife Conservation Association Si Ping, Governor of the State of California Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Newsom, California State Senator Toni Atkins, Mayor of San Diego Todd Gloria, President of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Paul Baribault and over 150 guests from various communities in the U.S. attended the event.

 Ambassador Xie said in his remarks that last November, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to continue cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation. The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic ties has sent a clear and important message: China-U.S. cooperation on panda conservation will not cease, our people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation will not stop, and once opened, the door of China-U.S. friendship will not be shut again. We warmly welcome Californians and other American friends to go to China, and see firsthand how incredible the home country of pandas is. “Trust me, you will fall in love with it just as you fall in love with pandas!” 

Governor Newsom echoed the remarks of Ambassador Xie, pointing out that panda conservation cooperation between the U.S. and China is about something much deeper and richer than just the two beautiful pandas. It is about exchange and understanding. The two countries have got to triumph together.

 Ambassador Xie, Governor Newsom and other speakers jointly unveiled the Panda Ridge in a ribbon pulling ceremony. Prior to the opening ceremony, Ambassador Xie held a meeting with Governor Newsom, and the two sides visited the panda pair Yun Chuan and Xin Bao together. Nearly 30 international media outlets covered the opening ceremony. Ambassador Xie also gave interviews to NBC7 San Diego and other media outlets before and during the event.