In Taiwan, a giant panda celebrates her 20th birthday: 'Adorable and amusing'

People in Taiwan have flocked to the Taipei Zoo to commemorate a giant panda's special day, putting aside their political differences.

The panda, Yuanyaun, has turned 20 years old.

According to the Associated Press, the animal arrived at the zoo in 2008 from China.

The female panda received a birthday cake shaped like 20, adorned with various edible decorations, from zookeepers.

Danielle Shu, a 20-year-old Brazilian student in Taiwan, found online clips of pandas to be an enjoyable distraction. "I just find it really funny and cute," Shu said, as the AP reported.

Yuanyuan went to the zoo with her late partner, Tuantuan, who passed away at 18 in 2022.

Today, the panda couple with two female cubs, Yuanzai and Yuanbao, who are now 11 and 4 years old, respectively, are still residing at the zoo.

Pandas in the wild typically live between 15 and 20 years, while those in human care can live up to 30 years, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

In their native habitat, there are approximately 1,864 giant pandas, while 600 pandas reside in zoos and breeding centers worldwide, according to the zoo.

The AP reported that Yuanyuan and Tuantuan arrived during a relatively peaceful period between China and Taiwan.

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang war games, aimed at simulating real warfare, are underway amid rising tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its sovereign territory, according to Reuters' report from last month.

According to Georgetown University, Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine, a professor of diplomacy and director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, stated that pandas are a symbol of good standing by the Chinese government, as evidenced by the gifting of these animals.

Government officials find it challenging to communicate directly with the public of another country, particularly if they aim to influence their perception of themselves. However, pandas are an effective means of achieving this goal due to their widespread appeal to animal lovers, as Bodine explained in a May interview with Georgetown.

In August, two pandas were transported to the San Diego Zoo, signifying the first time pandas have been shipped to the U.S. in 21 years.

In May, the National Zoo in Washington revealed that China would be sending two young giant pandas to the US, following the return of three pandas several months prior.

In 1972, the U.S. received two giant pandas as gifts from Beijing, following President Richard Nixon's visit to the country.

Xie Feng, China's ambassador to the United States, stated that the new panda cooperation agreement was a positive sign for U.S.-China relations, according to Reuters.

The two pandas are expected to arrive by the end of the year.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.