New US panda pair renews a diplomatic tradition
The arrival of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang at Zoo Atlanta has restored a Chinese giant-panda presence in the United States after the previous partnership ended in 2024. Their placement continues a practice in which conservation agreements have also reflected the state of China’s relationships with other countries.
Two giant pandas have arrived at Zoo Atlanta after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, renewing a long-running tradition in China-US relations. The zoo said on Sunday that it was “overjoyed” to welcome Ping Ping and Fu Shuang. Xi described the animals during his US visit as an “envoy of friendship” between the Chinese and American peoples.
The arrival follows the end of Zoo Atlanta’s previous 25-year partnership with China in 2024. China’s use of giant pandas as symbols of goodwill is commonly known as panda diplomacy. The practice drew international attention in the 1970s, when Beijing sent pandas to countries including the United States and Japan after significant diplomatic developments.
The exchanges have often accompanied diplomatic initiatives, trade agreements and conservation partnerships. They have also reflected tensions. Cooperation has sometimes been suspended or loan agreements left unrenewed when relations deteriorated.
Japan currently has no giant pandas after twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei returned to China in January. Their departure came amid strained Beijing-Tokyo ties following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about a possible Taiwan contingency. Chinese official figures say 40 giant pandas are now living overseas in 15 countries.
South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, Australia and several European countries host pandas through conservation arrangements. Qatar became the first Middle Eastern country to receive them in 2022. The United States currently has six pandas across three zoos, more than any other country outside China.
Pandas first became a symbol of China-US engagement in 1972, after President Richard Nixon’s visit to China. Beijing later ended the gifting system and shifted to loans to improve protection of the endangered species. Mexico’s Xin Xin, born at Chapultepec Zoo in 1990, remains the only giant panda not owned by China.
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