<span style="color: #222222;">Giant pandas are no longer classified as endangered but are still vulnerable, Chinese officials say.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The classification was downgraded as their number in the wild has reached 1,800. Experts say that the country managed to save its iconic animal through its long-term conservation efforts, including the expansion of habitats.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">China considers pandas a national treasure, but has also loaned them to other countries as diplomatic tools.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Cui Shuhong, head of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation at a news conference said, the latest classification upgrade reflects their improved living conditions and China's efforts in keeping their habitats integrated.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The new classification comes years after the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had already removed the animal from its endangered species list and re-labelled it as vulnerable in 2016.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">At the time, however, Chinese officials had disputed the decision, saying that it could mislead people into believing that conservation efforts could be relaxed.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">This week's announcement by China's environmental ministry is the first time the animal's status was changed on its own endangered species list, which uses similar standards as the Swiss-based IUCN.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Experts have said that the success is largely due to Chinese efforts to recreate and repopulate bamboo forests. Bamboo makes up some 99 per cent of their diet, without which they are likely to starve.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Zoos have also attempted to increase numbers via captive breeding methods.</span><br />''  <br />