For millions of panda fans in Washington D.C. and across the nation, Friday is a day filled with reluctance to part with Tai Shan, the beloved panda cub which is leaving the town for its homeland, China.

Giant panda Tai Shan eats an apple in his enclosure at the National Zoo in Washington December 4, 2009. The zoo announced during a news conference here Friday that Tai Shan, the first surviving Giant Panda cub born at the zoo in 2005, will soon return to China's Sichuan Province to participate in a breeding program under an agreement with China's government. [Xinhua]

"We are very very sad that Tai Shan is leaving," acting US National Zoo Director Steve Monfort told reporters at a news conference held outside of the zoo's Giant Panda Habitat, where the four-year-old panda cub and his parents dwell.

Tai Shan, the first surviving giant panda cub born at the National Zoo, will be sent to China in January or February next year under an agreement between the United States and China.

"It's a sad moment for us," Lisa Stevens, curator of pandas and primates at the zoo, told Xinhua.

"We have seen every move of him, every moment of his growth and the formation of his charismatic personality. Now it's time to say goodbye," she said.

Leading local newspaper The Washington Post dedicated an article to Tai Shan on its front page on Friday, along with a headshot.

It begins with: "We knew this sad day was coming."

The newspaper also held an online discussion on Tai Shan's departure on its website.

Local radio station WTOP is encouraging its audience to upload photos of Tai Shan shot by themselves.

Extremely proud

Few people would argue that the panda cub has become one of the most important figures in the capital city since it was born, and Washingtonians are extremely proud of it.

As the news conference was underway, a lot of panda fans gathered nearby, holding pictures of Tai Shan and repeatedly hailing "Tai Shan, we love you!"

But the cub, which just came out of its cave and took some fresh morning air, was not affected by the overwhelming emotions around it.

Tai Shan, which means "peaceful mountain" in Chinese, was born in July 2005 to Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, a giant panda couple thatcame to the zoo in 2000 under a 10-year loan.

Under the original China-US agreement, the cub was supposed to be sent to China at two years' old.

After Americans pleaded for extending its stay, China agreed to let the cub stay in the zoo for two more years. In fact, its stay was extended to four and a half years as it won't go to China until January or February 2010.

Since the cub's public debut in December 2005, it has attracted millions of visitors who have come to the National Zoo to see him in person.

It also got many fans around the world through the zoo's giant panda web page, which draws some one million visits each month since its birth.

Calling Tai Shan "the most important Washington resident," Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty announced in 2007 that April 24 will become the Panda Day for the city.

It has been the subject of a documentary, the model for zoo merchandise and personal tattoos, and the inspiration for a fan club, Pandas Unlimited.

The zoo just announced the cub's appearance on a postage stamp.

"We are extremely pound of Tai Shan," said Monfort.

"He has become so special to the staff and the public -- and we have learned so much from him," he added.

The zoo is planning a series of events to highlight Tai Shan's contribution to the cause of wildlife conservation.

Stevens said Tai Shan has performed multiple roles since it was born. "He carries the name of a great mountain and is a charismatic ambassador that symbolizes scientific and political coordination between China and the United States."