US: Giant pandas from China make public debut at Atlanta zoo
Two giant pandas from China have made their first public appearance at a zoo in the US city of Atlanta as a queue of visitors lined up to see the bears.
In a treat for them and their fans, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang — male and female, respectively — were seen munching on bamboo at Zoo Atlanta on Friday.
The six-year-old pandas arrived from China's Chengdu on September 27.
The FedEx flight they traveled on was dubbed the "Panda Express."
The panda duo had spent the last few weeks getting acclimated to their habitat.
Pandas return to Atlanta
Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have taken up residence in a panda enclosure at the zoo that had been vacant since 2024.
A 25-year-long partnership that saw Atlanta host four pandas on loan since 1999 ended in the midst of strained US-China ties. Seven panda cubs that were born at the zoo during that period now live in Chengdu, China.
That arrangement has been renewed under a 10-year loan agreement following a Washington summit between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
China's ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, said at a press conference on Friday that the pandas' arrival "marks the renewal of a decade-long bond between China and Zoo Atlanta."
Raymond King, CEO of Zoo Atlanta, described pandas as "animals that have got a unique ability to inspire curiosity, instill passion, evoke joy, and unite people around the globe."
"This extraordinary spirit of partnership helps create a future for a species that is truly beloved the world over," he said as the two adult pandas made their debut.
China's 'panda diplomacy'
China has a history of leasing the iconic pandas to other countries in a bid to build diplomatic ties, dubbed "panda diplomacy."
Cubs born in foreign zoos are typically sent back to China.
Meanwhile, unaware of the soft power they wield, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, lounged about their new habitat on Friday.
The zoo recently renovated its panda facilities and has also ensured a long-term supply of locally grown bamboo for its newest residents.
Three US zoos now house the black-and-white mammals.
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