China Sends Pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to US During Xi's Visit, Reviving 'Panda Diplomacy'

On September 25, 2026, China sent the giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to Atlanta, Georgia, as part of a diplomatic gesture during President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States. The pandas were transferred to the Atlanta Zoo, where they will reside for a period of time. This action revives a long-standing practice of 'panda diplomacy,' which began in 1972 when the pandas Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing arrived in the U.S., symbolizing improved relations between the two nations. The tradition of loaning pandas to U.S. zoos has been a consistent feature of Sino-American diplomatic engagement, often used to signal goodwill and cooperation. The current transfer of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang aligns with broader efforts by China to enhance its global influence through soft power initiatives. The U.S. has historically accepted these loan agreements, though the terms and duration of such exchanges are subject to negotiation. While both sources agree on the event and its historical context, they differ slightly in the timing of the publication. Infobae reported the event first, while 20 Minutos provided additional context about the historical tradition of panda diplomacy.