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China

Nancy Mace introduces amendment to stop pandas from being sent to China

China charges $500,000 per panda while requiring that the animals be returned to the country

By Michael Lee Fox News
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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., plans to introduce an amendment that would prevent pandas born in the U.S. from being sent to China.

"It’s high time the United States said ‘no’ to the Chinese Communist Party and its international propaganda campaign," Mace said in a statement Tuesday. "Pandas born in the United States deserve to stay in our country."

Rep. Nancy Mace. (AP Photo/Mic Smith, File)

Mace is aiming to include the amendment in the "America COMPETES Act," a bill aimed at helping the U.S. gain an edge over competitors such as China in the fields of science and technology.

The South Carolina lawmaker argues that China has attempted to "soften the image" of its communist government by loaning the pandas to zoos around the world, charging $500,000 per panda while requiring that the animals be returned to China.

The Smithsonian National Zoo's Giant Panda Mei Xiang, mother of panda youngster Bao Bao who was born Aug. 23, 2013, sleeps in the indoor habitat at the zoo in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Smithsonian National Zoo's Giant Panda Mei Xiang. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"Whether born in the U.S. or in another country, pandas are considered the property of the Chinese government and must eventually return to China," Mace said.

The practice of sending cubs born elsewhere back to China has become controversial in recent years, with some experts arguing that the animal's population in the country has stabilized enough that host countries should no longer be required to send cubs back.

Mace cited China's record on human rights as a reason for the move.

In this photo taken Dec. 14, 2015, animal keeper Nicole MacCorkle holds Bei Bei, the National Zoo's newest panda and offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, for members of the media at the National Zoo in Washington. The youngest giant panda cub at the National Zoo is ready for his close-up. Bei Bei will make his public debut on Jan. 16. During an audience with a small news media contingent Monday, he was so relaxed that he fell asleep and drooled on an examination table. At nearly 4 months old, Bei Bei weighs more than 17 pounds and is gaining about a pound a week. He’s bigger than his older siblings were at the same age. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Animal keeper Nicole MacCorkle holds Bei Bei, the National Zoo's newest panda and offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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"The Chinese Communist Party is also an oppressive and odious regime, responsible for disasters ranging from the massacre at Tiananmen Square to the COVID-19 fiasco from the Wuhan lab and the ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs," Mace said.

Only three zoos in the U.S. currently host giant pandas on loan from China: the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and the Memphis Zoo.

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