Pandas Arrive in Atlanta as Part of China-U.S. Agreement

Two giant pandas from China, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, have arrived in the United States under a collaborative agreement between the Chinese and American governments. Their arrival was confirmed by Zoo Atlanta on Sunday.

According to the zoo, the pandas landed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday morning. They traveled aboard a dedicated ‘FedEx Panda Express’ Boeing 777 aircraft.

Raymond B. King, the president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, expressed excitement about this event in a statement on social media. “This is a thrilling day for Zoo Atlanta and a historic moment for the City of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and beyond,” King stated. “We are elated to welcome Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and look forward to sharing that joy with our members, guests, city, and community in the coming weeks,” he added.

Zoo visitors will need to wait before seeing the pandas, as the zoo plans to quarantine Ping Ping and Fu Shuang for about a month. The quarantine will take place in a biosecure area of the wildlife park’s new giant panda complex. Park officials have not finalized an exact opening date for visitors.

During a three-day summit in Washington with President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the pandas’ arrival as one of the tangible results of the state visit. Vehicles transporting Ping Ping and Fu Shuang were seen leaving the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

For over 25 years, Zoo Atlanta has maintained a giant panda agreement with China. The zoo previously bid farewell to its last pandas in 2024. The new panda arrangement was publicized in April without confirmed dates. Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, both born in 2020 at the Chengdu Research Base, are set to stay in Atlanta for 10 years. Ping Ping is recognized by dark black circles around his eyes, while Fu Shuang is noted for her slightly protruding forehead, according to Xinhua News Agency.

China often engages in panda diplomacy as a gesture of goodwill, using panda loans to strengthen international relations. President Xi stated that the loan arrangement illustrates “friendship between the Chinese and Americans.” Currently, the National Zoo and the San Diego Zoo in the U.S. also host pandas received in 2024.