In brief
Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, made a celebrated return to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, reviving panda diplomacy between China and the US after a year-long absence.
The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., welcomed two giant pandas from China—Bao Li and Qing Bao—reviving the practice of "panda diplomacy" after nearly a year without these adored animals. The pandas arrived following an eventful journey that included a flight from China and a police-escorted motorcade through the nation's capital, capturing the attention of onlookers and passing close by the White House. This significant arrival marks a new chapter in the 10-year agreement between the zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The zoo was notably panda-less since November of the previous year when its last pandas returned to China. However, zoo visitors can anticipate seeing Bao Li and Qing Bao starting January, after a required quarantine period designed to ensure their health and safety.
