Beijing, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : President Xi Jinping recently completed a three-day state visit to the United States, where he was warmly welcomed by President Joe Biden. The two leaders engaged in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. Following their talks, China announced a significant gesture: the dispatch of two giant pandas, named Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to the U.S.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the meeting was productive and constructive. The pandas were sent to Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, a move that had been agreed upon prior to Xi’s visit, but was officially announced during his time in Washington.
Giant pandas, beloved worldwide, are often used by China as part of its “panda diplomacy” strategy to foster international relations. The pandas departed from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a chartered flight early Sunday morning.
Reports from the Global Times indicate that their well-being was a priority during the 15-hour flight, with a specialized diet of steamed corn buns, bamboo shoots, and carrots prepared for them. The pandas will reside at the Atlanta Zoo for the next decade.
Before their departure, a farewell ceremony was held at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, honoring the animals as they embarked on their journey. The American side sent experienced keepers to accompany the pandas on their flight.
In anticipation of their arrival, the Atlanta Zoo has upgraded its facilities and assembled a dedicated care team for the pandas. The zoo has also secured a steady supply of bamboo, which is cultivated locally, as the climate in Atlanta closely resembles that of Chengdu. The Atlanta Zoo previously hosted pandas for 25 years, starting in 1999, but had not welcomed any since 2024.
Both pandas were born in 2020; the male, Ping Ping, is now six years old, while the female, Fu Shuang, will turn six next month. In captivity, pandas typically live up to 30 years.
For decades, these furry ambassadors have been sent around the globe as symbols of China’s diplomatic goodwill. The tradition dates back to 1972 when President Richard Nixon received a pair of pandas as a gift from China during his historic visit.
Earlier this year, Beijing recalled two pandas from Japan amid diplomatic tensions that arose following comments from the Japanese Prime Minister regarding military intervention in Taiwan’s defense.
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