KUALA LUMPUR: Animal rights advocates in Malaysia are upset that China is to “donate” two Giant Pandas to the country in order to boost diplomatic relations. “Animals are not to be donated, they are to be allowed to live in freedom and in the wild with protection from human violence against them,” activist Ashin Tomare told Bikyamasr.com on Tuesday after the panda deal was announced. “We should fight against using animals as chips in the diplomatic game all the time,” he added. What is being dubbed as “panda diplomacy” in the country, follows an agreement between Malaysia and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, in commemoration of the countries' 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The agreement will be signed on June 15. The pandas will be placed in a special exhibit in Taman Wetland, Putrajaya. Malaysians will also get the chance to name to pandas in a nationwide contest. The ministry said the cooperation would enable Malaysia to conduct conservation research, adding that the presence of the pandas would promote public awareness on China's panda conservation efforts. “This agreement shows Malaysia's commitment towards China's effort in increasing the number of endangered Giant Panda which is endemic in China, estimated currently about 1,600 only. “This is in accordance to Aichi Targets 2010 under the Convention on Biological Diversity which promote conservation efforts in preventing species extinction,” the statement read. The ministry said the close relationship between the two countries had enabled Malaysia to attract more foreign investment from China to boost the country's economy further. “Through this cooperation too, Malaysia can conduct conservation research on the Giant Panda,” it added.
