NEARLY 200 giant panda lovers gathered in Tokyo to celebrate the 18th birthday of male giant panda Ri Ri, which currently dwells at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Despite downpours due to the powerful Typhoon Lan, panda fans from all over Japan rushed to the gathering at the China Cultural Center in Tokyo on Wednesday, many bringing letters and hand-made gifts for the panda.

Ri Ri, born on Aug. 16, 2005, in Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo together with the female giant panda Shin Shin.

“With giant pandas as a link, we hope to promote the people-to-people bond between China and Japan, and promote the continuous development of Sino-Japan friendship,” said Ouyang An, director of the Tokyo office of the China National Tourism Office and one of the organizers of the event, during his speech at the gathering.(Xinhua)