Panda diplomacy: Xi announces 2 giant pandas for Atlanta zoo in US

Xi announces 2 ‘envoys of friendship’ for US Chinese President Xi Jinping brought a softer touch to his meeting with US President Donald Trump and other White House officials on Thursday, announcing that two giant pandas would soon head to Atlanta as an “envoy of friendship”.The announcement was the latest development in a new panda conservation agreement between the Atlanta zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Under the agreement, male panda Ping Ping and female panda Fu Shuang are expected to arrive from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding."We can't wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas," Atlanta zoo president Raymond B. King said in a statement in April.China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the new conservation cooperation would help improve the health and well-being of giant pandas, promote global biodiversity protection and strengthen friendship between the Chinese and American people.Atlanta's earlier panda agreement with China, which ended in 2024, saw pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang produce seven cubs, according to the zoo. The pair an...