By Xu Aiying

Fu Bao, the first giant panda born through natural breeding in Korea, has spread her massive popularity in China after her recent move there.

The Chinese government and even its people have not only welcomed Fu Bao, but also sent messages of gratitude to Korea for lovingly caring for her.

"Giant pandas are a precious endangered wild species and are loved by people around the world. They are emissaries of friendship from the people of China," Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on April 3 told a regular news conference. "We welcome Fu Bao's return and express our thanks to Fu Bao's caretakers in the (Republic of Korea)."

On the same day, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming attended a send-off event for Fu Bao at the theme park and zoo Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province. He thanked and comforted zookeeper Kang Cher-won, who had cared for the giant panda as her closest handler since she was born, as Kang traveled to China with Fu Bao despite the death of his mother the day before.

"The consistent love and meticulous consideration that zookeeper Kang showed to the giant panda family in Korea over a long time attests to the friendship between both countries," Ambassador Xing said.

"I was deeply moved that Kang accompanied Fu Bao to China despite an extenuating circumstance (death of Kang's mother)," he added. "On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Korea, I pay tribute to and offer my sincere condolences to Kang's family."

News of Fu Bao's journey to China stimulated excitement with the Chinese public. Major news media like the government-run China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency on April 3 livestreamed through social media the giant panda's departure from Korea and arrival in China, attracting millions of views.

iPanda, an online channel run by CCTV devoted to giant pandas, launched a corner on such animals living in Korea to deliver news about Fu Bao's family.

Western media like The Associated Press and Wall Street Journal of the U.S., Reuters of the U.K. and AFP of France also covered Fu Bao's relocation to China, attesting to her massive popularity.

A letter handwritten by Kang and left in China after he bid farewell to Fu Bao also touched viewers after its April 5 release by Chinese news outlets and social media. "Dear Fu Bao, Grandpa is leaving you behind. I'll definitely come see you again. Please adapt and eat well and have fun there," he wrote.

Chinese netizens moved by Kang's letter translated it into Mandarin and shared the post, with comments appearing like "Fu Bao is forever Grandpa's baby giant panda" and "Fu Bao exists because of Grandpa's love."

Born through natural breeding between male giant panda Le Bao and his mate Ai Bao, Fu Bao was sent to Korea in March 2016 as a gift from China as part of friendship diplomacy between both countries.

Entering the world on July 20, 2020, Fu Bao became a public and media darling who earned the nickname "Fu Princess." The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora said she was sent to China on April 3 before turning age 4, when she must mate.

xuaiy@korea.kr