Ping Ping and Fu Shuang head to Atlanta as part of “panda diplomacy

Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have left Chengdu, China, to relocate to the Atlanta Zoo in the United States.

Their flight to the US is expected to take around 15 hours. After arriving in Atlanta, the two animals will be placed in quarantine, where they will be accompanied by Chinese veterinarians and keepers throughout the period.

Born in 2020, the pandas have different characteristics. Ping Ping is described as brave and gentle, and is particularly noted for his ability to climb trees. Fu Shuang, meanwhile, has a particular fondness for honey.

They were selected after their age, health, genetic traits and temperament were assessed. Before departure, they were prepared for the long flight, as well as for staying in a crate and coping with aircraft noise.

The transfer to Atlanta is part of the practice known as “panda diplomacy”, through which China lends pandas to other countries, linking the process to bilateral relations and exchanges between states.

Their departure came shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US. During the meeting, he and US President Donald Trump agreed to extend the trade truce and establish a line of communication on artificial intelligence issues.

For the panda keepers in Chengdu, the separation was an emotional experience. One of them said that, having cared for the pandas since their birth, seeing them leave felt “like your children leaving”.