China cracked down on rumors that a Washington, D.C., zoo abused its pandas, as it seeks to steady ties with the United States weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.

Police in Sichuan accused two people of spreading false information that the bears, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, were mistreated at the National Zoo in Washington, according to an official statement Friday. The man and woman also incited boycotts of international efforts to conserve the animals, authorities alleged.

The law enforcement action contrasted with China’s jab at the U.S. last year over the health of a panda at the Memphis Zoo after images showed it looking emaciated. Both countries denied there was any foul play, although Chinese diplomat Hua Chunying fanned anger by comparing the panda’s condition with a photo of the bear looking healthier back in Beijing.

At the time, all pandas in the U.S. including Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were being sent back to China after ties sank to a new low over an alleged Chinese spy balloon. Their future presence in America was secured only after President Xi Jinping renewed “panda diplomacy” last November following his meeting with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden.

The crackdown on rumors about the United States' treatment of the Chinese national symbol is now similarly seen as a gesture of goodwill as Beijing braces for a turbulent second Trump presidency and struggles with an economic slowdown at home.

Police said the suspects profited from the rumors through livestreaming, earning as much as 170,000 yuan ($23,290), according to the Friday statement. The crime began in June 2023 and authorities began to investigate in March this year after receiving complaints.

“They must have done a thorough investigation over these nine months,” said one Chinese social media user, among several questioning the timing of the prosecution.

China has long used its national animal to curry favor, reward friends and punish adversaries. The ruling Communist Party first gave the U.S. pandas after President Richard Nixon normalized relations in 1972, from when pandas have had a continuous presence in the National Zoo barring a yearlong gap after Hsing-Hsing’s death in late 1999.

The police action coincided with China’s broad range of efforts to mend ties with other countries including by opening more sectors to foreign investment, wooing tourists with visa-free arrangements and reversing a ban on seafood imports from Japan.

In a condolence message Monday over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who officially recognized the People’s Republic, President Xi said the country was ready to work with America to advance ties in a sound, stable and healthy direction.

The Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily last week also called for public submissions showcasing U.S.-China friendship, a largely symbolic move showing Beijing’s intent to promote ties.

“The tide has changed. So should we still hate on the U.S.?” one user asked on the Weibo social networking site.

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(With assistance from Jing Li and Philip Glamann.)

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