Cutest diplomats ever: China sends two giant pandas to US
BEIJING, Sept 27 — China sent two giant pandas to the United States today, state media said, after a Washingt...
BEIJING, September 27 — China has sent two giant pandas to the United States, according to state media, following a Washington summit that focused on symbolism and lacked substantial progress. The transfer of the pandas had been planned, but the announcement of their departure occurred on Thursday during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington.
The black and white bears are highly popular worldwide and are part of China's "panda diplomacy" program, aimed at strengthening international relations. Ping Ping and Fu Shuang took off from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport around 3 a.m. local time on a chartered plane, as reported by the state news agency Xinhua. The duo is headed to a zoo in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will spend the next ten years.
A farewell ceremony was held for the pandas by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding before their journey. Beijing had previously recalled two of its pandas from Japan earlier this year following a diplomatic dispute that erupted when Japan's prime minister suggested the possibility of military intervention in case of an attack on Taiwan.
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- China sends two giant pandas to US freemalaysiatoday.com
