• Two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta from China.
• The pandas are part of China's "panda diplomacy" efforts.
• They will be kept at the Atlanta Zoo for the next 10 years.
• Pandas were flown on a dedicated 'FedEx Panda Express' Boeing 777.
• A farewell ceremony at Chengdu marked their departure to the U.S.

On Sunday, September 27, two giant pandas named Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived in the United States as part of a diplomatic initiative between China and the U.S., announced during a summit involving Chinese President Xi Jinping. The pandas, who were already agreed to be transferred, left Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport early in the morning aboard a chartered flight, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

The black-and-white mammals are popular worldwide and are sent as part of a "panda diplomacy" initiative that fosters international ties. Both pandas are expected to stay at the Zoo Atlanta for the next ten years. Prior to their departure, a farewell ceremony was conducted by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, which underscores the significance of this diplomatic gesture, as detailed by CBS News and Le Monde.

Zoo Atlanta has made extensive preparations for their arrival, including renovations to the panda facilities and securing a local bamboo supply. This follows over 25 years of panda care at the zoo, which last hosted pandas before 2024, according to reports from Channel News Asia and CBS News.

During the 15-hour trip, the pandas were accompanied by experienced caretakers, and special provisions like steamed corn buns and bamboo were prepared to ensure their comfort. The flight was notably tracked as it approached Alaska, confirming its status as a significant global event in panda diplomacy, as reported by Le Monde and CBS News.