Expletive strewn interview about pandas stuns The Project hosts

What seemed to be a benign chat about pandas turned into a expletive strewn interview that left the show’s hosts lost for words.

A guest on Channel 10’s The Project left the panel stunned after she swore – repeatedly – while being interviewed on the show.

Journalist and writer Vicky Xu appeared to say the “F word” at least three times during a chat about mild mannered pandas on Monday’s night’s program.

Panellist Sam Taunton, who likely didn’t expect a chat about the Chinese bears would go off the rails so swiftly, seemed to struggle for a response.

Ms Wu was discussing China’s so-called “panda diplomacy” where the nation loans out the creatures to zoos around the world.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, second only to Xi Jinping in the communist nation’s pecking order, was in Australia this week as Canberra and Beijing looked to patch up strained ties.

He visited Adelaide Zoo which currently hosts two Chinese pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni. The pair are due to be returned to China but Mr Li said a new couple would soon head to Adelaide.

“We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful lovely and adorable pandas to replace them,” Mr Li said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and China's Premier Li Qiang at the panda enclosure at Adelaide Zoo on June 16, 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Asanka Ratnayake / POOL

The Premier also invited a delegation from Adelaide Zoo to head to China to meet their counterparts working in panda conservation.

Pandas are notoriously difficult to encourage to mate and Wang Wang and Fu Ni are no exception having never produced any off spring in their 15 years in South Australia.

Wang Wang the panda is seen during China's Premier Li Qiang's visit to the Adelaide Zoo. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake / POOL / AFP)

Ms Xu studies China and has written extensively about the Uyghurs, an ethnic group which Beijing has been accused of persecuting. It’s claimed that China has tried to stamp out the minority’s traditions, culture and religion and even of enacting forced sterilisations. Beijing has pushed back on the accusatiuons.

Vicky Xu’s comments on pandas were unexpected. Picture: The Project.

She said pandas were too lazy and that's why they were going extinct. Picture: The Project.

‘Pandas are too lazy to f***’

She was asked by Taunton whether she was “excited” about the prospect of Adelaide Zoo getting two new pandas.

“No, I am not. I am not,” Ms Xu said with little hesitation.

“I think pandas they’re too lazy to f*** and that’s why they’re going extinct”.

“Hey,” exclaimed Taunton as the first of several expletives dropped.

“I think they deserve what they have coming for them,” she said, smiling.

Sam Taunton’s expressions seemed to veer between bemused…

...and amused. Picture: The Project.

“Look at me and this outfit I’ve got I’ve got going,” Ms Xu said about her black and white ensemble which was in panda hues.

“I am so much cuter than those giant, fat, not f***ing pandas.

“Australia is so lucky to have me. And the pandas? We can let them go,” said Ms Wu.

“I’m Australian, the pandas are not. They’ve got no loyalty, they’ve got no contribution they just eat and not f***”.

Sarah Harris took the swear words in her stride. Picture: The Project.

“I’m agree, I’m with you,” said Taunton whose look during the segment appeared to veer between shock and amusement.

The Project presenter Sarah Harris, meanwhile, appeared to be in hysterics at the outburst.

Online, The Project labelled Ms Xu’s interview as “the most brutal reaction to Australia getting two new Chinese pandas”.

Vicky Xu is an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and wrote the world's most authoritative report on Uyghur Muslims' persecution. Picture: Aaron Francis / The Australian.

Some viewers, however, were not amused.

“Moment when I changed channels,” said one.

“This was a bizarre segment,” said another.

But others watching loved the interview.

“LMAO (sic), sorry but that was funny as f (sic)”.

“ (Xu) is a legend,” commented viewer Ann McMahon.

“I like her response on the new pandas. Panda diplomacy sucks. Stop begging for these pandas. I like our koalas better,” wrote another viewer.

On social media, Ms Xu later commented - perhaps in response to The Project segment: “I did so many interviews today that I just exploded”.

Originally published as Expletive strewn interview about pandas stuns The Project hosts