State media in Beijing reported that two giant pandas arrived in the United States from China on Sunday. This visit took place after a leaders' summit characterized by significant symbolism but few substantial breakthroughs.
Although the transfer of the pandas was agreed upon earlier, the departure was announced on Thursday during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington. These black and white mammals are immensely popular worldwide, and China provides them as part of its 'panda diplomacy' program to strengthen international ties.
According to the state news agency Xinhua, Pingping and Fu Shuang flew out of Shanghai Xiuliu International Airport in Chengdu on a charter flight around three in the morning (19:00 GMT on Saturday). After a 16-hour flight across the international date line, the bears landed in Atlanta, Georgia, shortly before 7 am local time (11:00 GMT on Sunday).
State Chinese media Global Times reported that steamed corn buns, bamboo shoots, and carrots were prepared to sustain the pandas during the flight. The Boeing 777 aircraft, operated by FedEx, was the most tracked aircraft on the FlightRadar24 aviation information platform as it approached Alaska, roughly midway through its journey.
The pandas will be housed at the Atlanta Zoo for the next ten years. Before their departure, a farewell ceremony was held for the pair, organized by the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu. Global Times also reported that the American side sent experienced keepers to accompany the pair on the flight.
In preparation for the arrival, the Atlanta Zoo renovated its panda enclosures and assembled a team of animal keepers. Furthermore, it ensured a stable and long-term supply of locally grown bamboo in Atlanta, where the climate is very similar to that of Chengdu. Previously, the Atlanta Zoo had leased pandas from China for a quarter of a century, starting in 1999, but there have been no such pandas since 2024.
Both pandas were born in 2020. Pingping, the male, is currently six years old, and Fu Shuang, the female, will turn six next month. Pandas in captivity typically live about 30 years.
Beijing has been sending these fluffy creatures around the world for decades as ambassadors of its diplomatic goodwill and soft power. In 1972, China gifted a pair of pandas to Washington following the historic visit of US President Richard Nixon to the communist country. It should also be noted that earlier this year, Beijing retrieved two of its pandas from Japan following a diplomatic disagreement that began when the Japanese Prime Minister hinted that Tokyo might intervene militarily in case of any attack on Taiwan.