TOKYO, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said Friday that the Japanese capital is mulling extending the loan period of giant panda Xiang Xiang's parents, male panda Ri Ri and female Shin Shin.
Ri Ri and Shin Shin, both 15, came to Japan from China in February 2011 under a 10-year lease agreement.
Koike told a press conference that while the Japanese side is negotiating with the Chinese side to extend the lease on the giant panda couple, their popular female offspring Xiang Xiang will depart Tokyo as planned by the end of the year.
"Pandas are very lovable. We would continue negotiations by embracing the desire of Tokyoites," said Koike.
She added that Tokyo will make preparations for Xiang Xiang to leave for China for breeding purposes, and asked people for their understanding.
Xiang Xiang was born on June 12, 2017 through natural mating at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo. Her name was chosen from more than 320,000 suggestions that people sent to the zoo.
The cub has been drawing huge crowds of admirers at the zoo since she was first shown to the public in December 2017.
Xiang Xiang was originally scheduled to return to China when she turns two, but the date was pushed to the end of this year. Enditem
