China's Pandas Arrive to Renew Zoo Ties

Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, have arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., as part of China's ongoing 'panda diplomacy.' This diplomatic gesture, promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping, marks a renewal of cultural ties following their departure last year amid U.S.-China tensions. The pandas are on a 10-year lease from China, with the National Zoo paying $1 million annually. They will be quarantined for 30 days before public display. The arrival has generated significant excitement, with zoo renovations and a popular Giant Panda Cam set to resume. This continues a tradition that began in 1972, enhancing U.S.-China relations and supporting panda conservation efforts.