Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Adelaide Zoo to announce pandas overshadowed by protests

The Chinese Premier has confirmed the state’s open secret on our much-loved pandas at Adelaide Zoo as hundreds of protesters and supporters gathered for his arrival.

Adelaide’s giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return home to China – and South Australian officials will pick two replacements, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has confirmed.

Premier Li, China’s second-in-command, visited Adelaide Zoo and Magill Estate on Sunday morning during his trip to Adelaide – the first stop on a four-day Australian visit.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the zoo, including groups of protesters as well as fans of Premier Li, as inside a large group of media and security personnel from both countries awaited his arrival.

After inspecting the pandas, he told Premier Peter Malinauskas via a translator “I can tell they are in very good health”.

As had been foreshadowed in the lead-up to the trip, Premier Li said Wang Wang and Fu Ni would return to China “before the end of the year”.

“But what I want to tell you is that we will provide a new pair of equally beautiful and adorable pandas,” he said.

“We can give you some candidates and invite you to China to pick the ones you want to bring to Adelaide Zoo and I’m sure they will be loved and taken good care of by the people of Adelaide, South Australia and Australia.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong shakes hands with China's Premier Li Qiang as South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas looks on at Adelaide Zoo on Sunday. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Mr Malinauskas thanked him and told him “can I say how grateful we are for your generous offer”.

“It is one that the South Australian people will very much embrace,” he said.

Zoos SA is now working with Chinese counterparts to select the preferred pandas.

The announcement was also attended by SA Governor Frances Adamson, federal Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell, and SA Deputy Premier Susan Close.

Along Plane Tree Drive at the perimeter of the zoo, pro-China groups holding flags clashed with protesters highlighting causes including the treatment of Uyghurs.

Police, including mounted patrols, kept a close eye on protesters at the zoo during Premier Li’s visit. Picture: Russell Millard

The protesters, holding the flags of Australia and East Turkistan – home of the persecuted Uyghur people – shouted “shame on China” and “shame on you” to supporters of Premier Li.

“China go home,” they said.

“I cannot believe you are so proud to hold up your flag,” one protester shouted.

Hamza Shamseden, 17, said he came to protest the arrival of the Chinese Premier as members of his family had been arrested and killed in East Turkistan.

“It’s for no reason,” Hamza said.

“We’re very angry. Because we value freedom it saddens me.”

His father Sayfudin came to Adelaide in 1999 and “is wanted by the Chinese government”.

“Since 2016 our contact with our family (still in the region) has been cut,” Hamza, from Salisbury, said.

Hamza, 17, (right) and Sayfudin Shamseden were among the protesters at Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

President of the East Turkistan Australian Association Adam Turan was also among the protesters. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

President of the East Turkistan Australian Association, Adam Turan said he organised the protest as “our people are under Chinese occupation”.

“I am Australian and I want Australia to be prosperous but I haven’t forgotten what’s happened to my people,” Mr Turan, who came to Adelaide 13 years ago, said.

“It’s panda diplomacy but I call it propaganda.”

Xavier Xhung, 43, of Edwardstown, who works in construction, came to welcome the Premier but said he respected the protesters.

“Australia is a free society so I respect everyone’s right to express themselves,” he said.

“That’s a core Australian value.”

Mr Xhung, who moved from China 18 months ago, said the visit from the premier will “improve the trade between the two countries”.

Susan Ma, 40, her 3-month-old child Sen, mother Sue and father Guang had also come to see Premier Li.

“We’ve been living here for a long time and in China we would have never had a chance to see him (the Premier),” Ms Ma, from the western suburbs, said.

A heavy police presence was on hand to prevent any altercation between protesters and supporters.

Supporters welcoming Premier Li to Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

More groups awaited Premier Li’s arrival at Penfolds Magill Estate, where a wine tasting was hosted by Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago.

The Premier’s plane departed Adelaide in the early afternoon on Sunday, concluding the first leg of his trip.

It has been seven years since a Chinese premier last visited Australia.

On Saturday, about 100 people with Chinese flags, hats and scarfs lined up to welcome Mr Li as he arrived in Adelaide.

Mr Farrell hinted earlier this week that Mr Li’s visit could see China lift its final trade restrictions on crayfish and lobster.

SA lobster producers welcomed the news, but say the industry is unlikely to return to pre-Covid levels.

Mr Li will also visit Canberra to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is being urged to remain firm in condemning human rights abuses and upholding national security interests.

Southern rock lobster wholesaler Andrew Ferguson welcomed the possible end to the ban but warned the industry was unlikely to return to pre-ban levels and there was plenty of work to do to rebuild the Chinese market.

“It’s a major market open again for live lobsters that hasn’t been there,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We’ve got to find our way back into that market place again. It’s a lot of work and a lot of money from people like us.”

Originally published as Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Adelaide Zoo to announce pandas overshadowed by protests