KOR
▲ Giant panda Qingbao at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
China's giant pandas, often called symbols of US-China friendship, have departed for the United States, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on September 27.
According to the report, the giant pandas Pingping and Fusuang departed aboard a charter flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 2:55 a.m. (local time) that day, heading to Zoo Atlanta in the United States.
The two pandas are scheduled to be used for joint research over a 10-year period.
Prior to their departure, a farewell event was held at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Pingping is male and Fusuang is female, having been born in March and October 2020, respectively.
Earlier, during a welcoming speech prior to his summit with US President Donald Trump at the White House on September 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated, "A few days from now, two pandas will arrive at their new home at Zoo Atlanta to meet the American people."
China has long engaged in "panda diplomacy," utilizing giant pandas as friendly envoys with people of other nations.
In particular, Xinhua News Agency reported that the US and China have continued joint panda research since 1999, achieving results such as publishing over 50 academic papers and breeding seven cubs.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
