On December 6, 2025, it was reported that a significant number of close associates of the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have been removed from power, raising speculations about the stability of his authority. Meanwhile, amid the sensitive political environment, the Beijing Zoo, belonging to the “state-owned” Chinese government, announced that a nearly 40-year-old red-crowned crane named “Pingping” has passed away, prompting many netizens to draw parallels with Xi Jinping, who also bears the nickname “Ping.”
In a post on December 1, the Beijing Zoo wrote on Weibo that “Pingping,” the red-crowned crane who created a longevity miracle approaching 40 years, peacefully completed its legendary life journey. The Zoo described “Pingping’s” life as a profound historical account documenting the conservation of red-crowned cranes in China from the brink of extinction to a new beginning over 40 years, marking a small yet splendid chapter in wildlife conservation in China.
In an article titled “Farewell to the Legendary Red-crowned Crane ‘Pingping’,” the Zoo highlighted that the red-crowned crane, known as one of the oldest species of birds and praised as an Eastern jewel, had once been widely distributed in East Asia. Due to wars, natural disasters, and habitat destruction, by the 1970s, the red-crowned crane was on the verge of extinction in the wild.
In May 1981, Chinese ornithologist Liu Yinzeng discovered two pairs of red-crowned crane adults in Yang County, Shaanxi Province, one of which bred three chicks, making up the global population of only seven red-crowned cranes.
On April 9, 1986, “Pingping” hatched in its final sanctuary in Yang County, Shaanxi Province. Then on May 17 of the same year, “Pingping” arrived in Beijing.
Described as a “nervous” bird species, red-crowned cranes are easily startled and prone to fluttering around in panic. The red-crowned crane breeding center took meticulous precautions to protect “Pingping,” such as installing nylon screens in front of all glass windows, setting up nylon protective nets on the roofs of enclosures, wrapping heating pipes, and modifying the locks on the double doors. Upon arrival, “Pingping” was vigilant, often hiding in the corner of its enclosure, sensitive to any slight noise that would startle it.
Emphasizing that “Pingping,” who lived for nearly 40 years, was the world’s oldest artificially raised red-crowned crane, surpassing Japan’s “Kin” who lived to 36 years, the Zoo celebrated its 39th birthday in its final spring. This longevity was considered as an incredible miracle for a bird species with a much lower average lifespan.
The exuberant memorial article for “Pingping,” narrating its life story, unexpectedly led to political associations among the public. Despite over a hundred comments on the Beijing Zoo’s Weibo post, the comments remained hidden.
On an overseas platform, many netizens linked the red-crowned crane’s death to Xi Jinping, who hails from Shaanxi Province and is associated with the name “Ping.” Some comments sarcastically expressed disappointment that it was not Xi Jinping himself who had passed away, while others hinted at political connotations regarding “Pingping’s” demise.
A prevalent…
This commemoration marked a striking resemblance to Xi Jinping, also drawing parallels between the strategies used in “Pingping’s” care and Xi Jinping’s potential health regimen and secrecy.
Renowned commentator Shi Tao mentioned in…