BEIJING: Two giant pandas sent by China arrived in the United States on Sunday, Beijing’s state media said, after a leaders’ summit that was heavy on symbolism and light on major breakthroughs.

The pandas’ transfer had already been agreed but the departure was announced on Thursday during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington.

The black-and-white mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a “panda diplomacy” programme to foster foreign ties.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang departed from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a chartered flight at around 3am, state news agency Xinhua reported.

After a 16-hour flight that crossed the international date line, the bears touched down in Atlanta, Georgia shortly before 7am local time, Xinhua said later.

Steamed corn buns, bamboo shoots and carrots were prepared to keep the pandas nourished during their flight, Chinese state-run media the Global Times reported. The pandas will be hosted by Zoo Atlanta for the next 10 years.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026