Pandas Pingping and Fushuang Promised by Xi Jinping Arrive in the U.S.... Over Half a Century of China's "Panda Diplomacy"

Pandas Arrived at Zoo Atlanta on September 27
U.S. Hosts Six Pandas, the Largest Number Outside China

The arrival of two pandas gifted to the United States by Chinese President Xi Jinping has brought renewed attention to China's "panda diplomacy," a tradition that has continued for more than half a century.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are shaking hands. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on October 2, giant pandas Pingping and Fushuang arrived at Zoo Atlanta, in the United States, on September 27. While Zoo Atlanta previously returned its pandas after ending its partnership with China in 2024, it is once again welcoming new pandas.

During a welcoming speech at the White House on September 24, ahead of a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, President Xi stated, "In a few days, two pandas will come to their new home at Zoo Atlanta and will meet the American people."

Since the historic first visit of then-U.S. President Richard Nixon to China in 1972, when the Chinese government sent giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing to the United States, pandas have become a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

Including this loan, there are currently 40 pandas that China has loaned to 15 countries around the world. The United States houses six pandas at three zoos, making it the country with the largest panda population outside of China.

China continues its "panda diplomacy"—presenting or long-term loaning giant pandas, native only to China in the wild, to friendly countries. The decision to loan pandas serves as a barometer of diplomatic relations between China and the recipient country, as is evident in the current situation with Japan.

After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks last year suggesting Japan might intervene in a Taiwan contingency, relations between China and Japan deteriorated. As a result, in January of this year, twin pandas Xiaoxiao and Leilei—the last to remain at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo—were returned to China, resulting in what is now referred to as the country's "panda zero" situation.

In Korea, preparations are underway for the return of pandas as well as discussions for additional loans. In January of this year, President Lee Jaemyoung proposed the loan of a panda pair to President Xi during a Korea-China summit, to which President Xi responded positively. Talks regarding the import are currently in progress.

Meanwhile, Ruibao and Huibao—the younger twin siblings of Everland's mascot, Fubao—will return to China in December, at three and a half years old. This is due to an international agreement requiring all giant pandas to return to China before reaching four years old, the age when they become capable of breeding. Once Ruibao and Huibao depart, Korea will be left with three pandas: Lubao, Aibao, and their newly born cub, Shubao.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.