Two Giant Pandas to Arrive at Zoo Atlanta, Confirmed by Xi Jinping

ATLANTA (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday that two giant pandas from China will arrive at Zoo Atlanta in the coming days, enhancing a loan program that had previously lapsed due to tensions between Beijing and Washington. In April, both China and the zoo had stated that Ping Ping, a male, and Fu Shuang, a female, would be sent to the United States. Xi's announcement at the White House, during opening remarks before discussions with President Donald Trump, provided the first public confirmation of the timing. In 2024, Beijing had reclaimed four pandas from Atlanta, which were the last animals on loan from China to the U.S. at that time. Xi stated that Ping Ping and Fu Shuang 'will come to their new home in Zoo Atlanta and meet with the American people' in 'a few days,' referring to the announcement as 'a piece of good news' and highlighting the panda loan program as a symbol of 'friendship between the Chinese and Americans.' The pandas are part of a conservation agreement between the zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, and both were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. In 2024, four pandas, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun, were returned from Zoo Atlanta to China, concluding a 25-year partnership and leaving the U.S. without any pandas for several months. The National Zoo in Washington returned three pandas to China in 2023 before receiving new arrivals Bao Li and Qing Bao in October 2024, after Atlanta lost its pandas. Other American zoos also sent pandas back to China as loan agreements expired. When the return of the pandas to Atlanta was officially announced in the spring, Zoo Atlanta CEO Raymond B. King expressed excitement about 'the wonder and joy of giant pandas' and stated that the facility was 'delighted and honored to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species.'