Loan of Giant Pandas from China

Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what is the intention behind the loan of the two Giant Pandas from China; (b) if it is to celebrate good diplomatic ties between China and Singapore, whether the additional charges to visit the Giant Panda exhibit at the zoo can be waived for the public or at least until the River Safari is officially opened where a separate admission fee can be charged.

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Mr Speaker, the loan of the two Giant Pandas is a gesture of goodwill from the Chinese, which serves to enhance the friendly ties between the people of both countries. It is a fitting symbol which underscores the long-standing close relationship between Singapore and China.

During PRC President Hu Jintao's state visit to Singapore in 2009, he and then-President SR Nathan had welcomed an agreement reached by both sides to collaborate on the Joint Cooperative Research (JCR) on the Giant Pandas. The JCR is a joint collaboration to promote Giant Panda conservation and raise public awareness of conservation through the joint implementation of a Giant Panda breeding research programme. Coincidentally, the last time Singapore received Giant Pandas from China was in 1990 for 100 days, when diplomatic relations were first established.

In response to strong public interest to see Kai Kai and Jia Jia, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) has decided to offer a special preview of the pandas ahead of the official opening of the River Safari in the first quarter of next year. It has done so by creating a special access to the panda exhibit from the Singapore Zoo. As visitors will have to walk through the gated Singapore Zoo attraction to see the pandas during this preview phase, they will be required to purchase a zoo admission ticket and a top-up fee.

We understand from WRS that all the proceeds from the top-up fees will be channelled back into the conservation, breeding and research programme for the Giant Pandas. Once the River Safari opens next year, visitors will not have to pay an additional fee to enter the Giant Panda Forest as this will be included in the River Safari's park admission price.

Sir, I thank the Second Minister for her reply. The reason I asked this question is because according to the River Safari website, it says specifically that before you can even see the pandas, you have to go through the zoo. You have to pay $20 per adult and $13 per child, not including the entrance to see the panda which, to me, adds up to quite a hefty sum for a family of four. Sir, because it is based on goodwill and good faith between the two countries, I am wondering, for at least this period of time before River Safari takes on board the role of looking after the pandas, whether this can be something to be taken into account in the interest of the public.

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Mr Speaker, I would just like to clarify that as I understand it, the giant panda is not separately housed. It is actually housed within the zoo. So in order to get access to it, you actually have to go through the zoo. I think that is the reason why WRS has made that requirement to go through the zoo, pay an admission price, and on top of that, there is a top up. The top up – although WRS is not under direct supervision of MFA – from what I understand, it is really to pay for the costs of housing the pandas, looking after them, and contributing to the conservation of the pandas.

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