“Panda diplomacy”: China’s pair heads to US for ten-year zoo stay

Two giant pandas — male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang — departed Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport for the United States on a charter flight at 2:55 a.m. local time on September 27. 

The animals will spend the next 10 years at Zoo Atlanta, Caliber.Az reports via Xinhua.

Before their departure, a farewell ceremony was held for the pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Ping Ping was born on March 17, 2020, and is known for his ability to skillfully climb trees. Fu Shuang, born on October 18 of the same year, is particularly adept at finding hidden food.

On September 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced during a state visit to the United States that Ping Ping and Fu Shuang would arrive at Zoo Atlanta in the coming days. He described giant pandas as a symbol of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

By Jeyhun Aghazada