April 7, 2006 — Two Taiwanese zoos that had hoped to host a pair of Chinese giant pandas said recently they would appeal the government's decision to reject the offer from Beijing.

Authorities in Taipei rebuffed rival China's so-called "panda diplomacy," denying import permits to the Taipei Zoo and Leofoo Safari Park in accordance with "wild animal conservation laws."

Officials said the two facilities did not meet the requirements for housing pandas, and that a majority of conservation groups and experts had opposed the importing of the animals.

The announcement came just a week after Taiwan's independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian — who has repeatedly piqued Beijing's ire in recent months — urged Chinese leaders to keep pandas in their natural habitat.

Supporters of independence for the island, which Beijing regards as its territory, have dismissed the offer as a propaganda ploy designed to win favor with the Taiwanese people.

The pandas were named Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, which comes from the Chinese word "tuanyuan," or "reunion" in English.

"We will appeal the decision," said Chao Ming-chieh, spokesman for the municipal Taipei Zoo.

"Construction of the panda area is expected to be completed in September and our preparations and trainings are progressing and we can accommodate the pandas," he said.

Sponsors of the zoo have invested some $230 million Taiwan ($7.09 million U.S.) to build the panda area, which will also include a tourist center and an international conference facility.

Leofoo Safari Park, located in northern Hsinchu County, also stressed that it could take care of the pandas and said it would appeal to the government.

Beijing made the panda offer during a historic trip last year to China by Taiwan's opposition leader, former Kuomintang chairman Lien Chan.

China has been using panda diplomacy worldwide since the Cold War and has reportedly made at least three earlier attempts to give pandas to Taiwan, none through official channels.

Beijing's pandas usually come with enormous rental fees, which U.S. zoos have recently complained about, but China has said there would be no charges for Taiwan in this case.