1972年9月29日上午10點20分，中日關係迎來歷史性的轉折。當時日本首相田中角榮訪問中國，並與毛澤東和周恩來舉行會談，雙方簽署《中日聯合聲明》，正式宣告兩國邦交正常化。就在這個外交破冰的重要時刻，周恩來總理提出一項極具象徵意義的友誼之舉——將兩隻大熊貓「康康」與「蘭蘭」無償贈送給日本人民，作為兩國友好新時代的見證。這對來自四川的國寶，成為一場跨越政治藩籬、轟動全日本的「黑白旋風」，也改變整整一代日本人對中國的印象。

中國之所以選擇熊貓作為禮物，既出於外交考量，也帶有極大的文化與心理戰略。熊貓溫馴可愛，是中國特有的珍稀物種，極具象徵意義。而「無償」更顯誠意——此前西方國家即使出高價，中國也未曾出售熊貓，此番卻為日本「破例」，體現非同尋常的友誼。康康與蘭蘭的挑選經過嚴格篩選，牠們來自四川臥龍自然保護區，健康活潑，性格溫順，完全符合「國際形象大使」的標準。面對日方對熊貓能否適應日本氣候的顧慮，周恩來一句「牠們比人還耐寒」巧妙化解，也顯示出中方對熊貓的信心。

當這對熊貓於1972年10月28日抵達東京羽田機場時，整個日本舉國歡騰。警車開道、媒體實況轉播，從機場到上野動物園，一路萬人空巷。上野動物園為牠們斥資上億日元建設專屬熊貓館，館內配有恆溫空調、冷藏竹庫等高規格設施，堪比「國賓級待遇」。首日開放參觀即湧入超過兩萬名遊客，隊伍綿延數公里，許多民眾凌晨三點便開始排隊。

日本社會隨即掀起一股空前的「熊貓熱」。熊貓玩偶、文具、T恤、郵票甚至主題曲《熊貓來了！》風靡全國，相關產品如雨後春筍般湧現，成為那一年最火熱的商業現象。NHK每日報導熊貓動態，報紙設立「熊貓日記」專欄，甚至連科研人員研究熊貓排泄物的消息也登上頭條。熊貓幾乎成為一種全民話題，其人氣之高超越明星、運動員乃至政治人物。

更深遠的影響在於，熊貓以牠們天然無害、憨態可掬的形象，潛移默化地改變日本人對中國的看法。戰後的日本社會對中國印象模糊，甚至帶有敵意，但熊貓外交成功地以「萌系力量」打破了\這道心理隔閡。熊貓成了\「友好」的代名詞，也為日後中日經濟與文化交流鋪平了道路。

然而，熊貓帶來的並不全是歡笑。1979年，蘭蘭因腎衰竭去世，整個日本陷入哀悼，上野動物園甚至降半旗誌哀。隔年，康康也相繼離世。大量日本民眾自發前往動物園獻花悼念，場面哀傷感人。其後，中國又多次贈送熊貓至日本，包括「歡歡」、1982年的「飛飛」、2011年的「比力」和「仙女」，每一次都引發新一輪熱潮。

熊貓外交之所以如此成功，一方面是因為選擇時機精準，正值中日關係破冰之初，熊貓象徵「和平」「親善」的特質與雙方需要的形象契合；另一方面，熊貓本身就是一種超越語言與文化的「萌」存在。對當時的日本人而言，活熊貓如同夢幻般的存在，多數人從未親眼見過，遑論如此近距離觀賞與互動。

至今，熊貓仍是日本動物園最受歡迎的明星，而1972年那兩隻康康與蘭蘭，則早已成為中日外交史上最溫暖、最具有情感色彩的象徵。他們不僅締造外交佳話，也在人與人、國與國之間，留下一道歷久彌新的溫柔印記。

On the morning of September 29, 1972, at 10:20 AM, a historic turning point occurred in Sino-Japanese relations. Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka was visiting China, where he held talks with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. The two sides signed the Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China, officially normalizing diplomatic relations between the two nations. At this critical moment of diplomatic breakthrough, Premier Zhou Enlai proposed a profoundly symbolic gesture of friendship: the gift of two giant pandas, Kang Kang and Lan Lan, to the Japanese people. This act marked the dawn of a new era of goodwill between the countries. The two panda ambassadors from Sichuan quickly became a national sensation in Japan, stirring what came to be known as the “black-and-white whirlwind”, and significantly reshaping an entire generation’s impression of China.

China’s decision to gift pandas was both diplomatic and deeply strategic in terms of cultural and psychological influence. Pandas, known for their docile and endearing nature, are a rare species endemic to China and carry significant symbolic value. The fact that the pandas were given free of charge underscored China's sincerity. Unlike previous interactions with Western countries that involved high offers for pandas—offers China consistently declined—this gift to Japan was a rare exception, highlighting the extraordinary level of friendship. Kang Kang and Lan Lan were meticulously selected from the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan. Healthy, lively, and with gentle temperaments, they perfectly met the criteria of “international image ambassadors.” When Japanese officials expressed concern about whether the pandas could adapt to Japan’s climate, Zhou Enlai responded with a witticism: “They’re more cold-resistant than humans,” skillfully easing concerns while showcasing China's confidence in the pandas' resilience.

When the two pandas arrived at Tokyo Haneda Airport on October 28, 1972, the entire nation of Japan erupted in joy. With a police escort and live media coverage, the route from the airport to Ueno Zoo was lined with cheering crowds. Ueno Zoo spent over 100 million yen building a dedicated panda enclosure, equipped with high-end amenities like climate control and refrigerated bamboo storage—offering the pandas something akin to state guest treatment. On the first day the pandas were exhibited, over 20,000 visitors flocked to the zoo, with queues stretching for kilometers. Some people began lining up as early as 3 AM.

Japan was soon swept by an unprecedented panda craze. Panda-themed toys, stationery, T-shirts, stamps, and even a hit song titled “The Pandas Have Come!” flooded the market. Products associated with pandas appeared like mushrooms after a rain, making pandas the hottest commercial phenomenon of the year. NHK covered daily panda updates, newspapers launched “Panda Diary” columns, and even news about scientists studying panda droppings made headlines. The pandas became a nationwide sensation, eclipsing celebrities, athletes, and even politicians in popularity.

Beyond the commercial success, the pandas profoundly influenced Japanese perceptions of China. Post-war Japanese society had a vague or even hostile image of China, but panda diplomacy softened these views through sheer charm. The pandas, with their harmless and lovable demeanor, broke down psychological barriers between the two countries. They became symbols of friendship, paving the way for subsequent economic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan.

However, the panda story wasn’t without sorrow. In 1979, Lan Lan died of kidney failure, prompting nationwide mourning. Ueno Zoo even lowered its flags to half-mast in tribute. The following year, Kang Kang also passed away. Thousands of Japanese citizens spontaneously went to the zoo to offer flowers and pay their respects, creating scenes of deep public grief. Over the years, China has continued to send pandas to Japan, including Huan Huan, Fei Fei in 1982, and Bi Li and Xian Nu in 2011. Each new arrival triggered a fresh wave of panda fever.

The success of panda diplomacy can be attributed to precise timing and the panda’s inherently symbolic nature. The gesture came at the start of a political thaw, when both sides needed an image of peace and goodwill—qualities perfectly embodied by pandas. Additionally, pandas are creatures whose “cuteness” transcends language and culture. For most Japanese people at the time, seeing a real panda was like witnessing a dream—something previously unimaginable, let alone up close and personal.

To this day, pandas remain the biggest stars at Japanese zoos, and Kang Kang and Lan Lan, the pair from 1972, have become one of the warmest and most emotionally resonant symbols in the history of Sino-Japanese diplomacy. They didn’t just create a diplomatic success story—they left a lasting, gentle imprint on hearts and minds, bridging the gap between peoples and nations.