China and the United States have agreed to launch a new round of giant panda conservation cooperation, sending two pandas to Zoo Atlanta under a 10-year program. The male panda Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang, from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, will participate in joint research efforts following an agreement signed last year between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the zoo.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association announced on Friday that male panda Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang will travel to the United States under a 10-year conservation agreement signed last year with Zoo Atlanta. Both pandas were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, with preparations underway including enclosure upgrades and technical guidance from Chinese experts on habitat design, feeding, and health care.
Zoo Atlanta president and CEO Raymond King said: “Zoo Atlanta is delighted and honoured to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species. 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.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that “giant pandas are China’s national treasure, serving as an ambassador and bridge for global friendships.” The program will focus on disease prevention, scientific research, and wild panda conservation. Previously, in 1999, pandas Yang Yang and Lun Lun at the zoo produced seven surviving offspring, marking one of the most successful breeding programs between China and Western institutions.
The announcement comes ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, with Chinese state media including the Global Times framing it as extending the “panda bond” between the Chinese and American people and advancing biodiversity cooperation.
