China's 'Panda Diplomacy' Reaches US: Pingping and Fusuang Arrive in Atlanta

Two Chinese giant pandas, often called a symbol of U.S.-China friendship, arrived in the United States on the 27th (local time).

According to China Central Television (CCTV) and other outlets, the giant pandas Pingping and Fusuang departed on a charter flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport in China at 2:55 a.m. on the 27th, China time, and arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, U.S., on the morning of the 27th, U.S. Eastern time.

Upon arriving in the U.S., the pandas will stay at Zoo Atlanta and are scheduled to be utilized for joint research over a 10-year period.

An official at Zoo Atlanta stated that preparations to welcome the pandas are complete and that they will officially meet visitors after a roughly one-month adaptation period.

Prior to their departure, a farewell event was held at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province.

Pingping is a male and Fusuang is a female, born in March and October 2020, respectively.

Earlier on the 24th, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a welcoming speech ahead of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, "In a few days, two pandas will come to their new home at Zoo Atlanta to meet the American people."

China has long engaged in "panda diplomacy," utilizing giant pandas as friendly envoys to the people of other countries.

In particular, Xinhua News Agency reported that the U.S. and China have continued joint panda research since 1999, achieving results such as publishing over 50 research papers and breeding 7 cubs.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.