Migara, a baby elephant, a gift of friendship from Sri Lanka to
China, officially moved into his new home at the Beijing Zoo
yesterday.
The 5-year-old male elephant braved the winter cold to make his
debut at a special ceremony attended by dignitaries from the two
countries and the media.
Visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said at the
function that sending the animal to other countries is a special
way to express love and friendship.
There are about 5,000 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, and about 200
in captivity, which are mainly used to celebrate festivals.
In 1972, the then Sri Lanka Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike
presented a baby elephant to the Chinese government for the first
time; and a similar gift from Sri Lanka arrived in 1979.
"They are very popular among children and have fascinated and
captivated the Chinese people," said Zhang Jingguo, deputy head of
the Beijing Zoo, adding that the two elephants have been traveling
on national exhibition tours.
One is in Tianjin, a port city close to the capital and the
other is in east China's Shandong Province, waiting to be
mated.
He said Migara is expected to make his grand debut next month
and would definitely receive the same welcome as his two peers.
To help the young elephant get used to his new home, a heating
system has been installed, and his favorite plants and fruits have
been imported from southern China.
Migara and a statute of Buddha were presented as gifts by
Rajapakse to the Chinese people to mark the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties.
Rajapakse also presented two corneas to China yesterday.
Sri Lanka began corneal transplants 50 years ago and has donated
corneas to more than 50 countries.
Accompanied by a 100-member delegation including government
ministers and business leaders, Rajapakse's tour is expected to woo
China with its business opportunities. He will meet President Hu
Jintao today.
(China Daily February 27, 2007)
