China's giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang land in Atlanta after Trump-Xi summit seals ten-year loan deal
From the Newshound archive · first published 26 September 2026 · last updated 28 September 2026.
Zoo Atlanta, which lost its previous giant pandas when that pair departed in 2024, will now house Ping Ping and Fu Shuang during a quarantine period. Xi described the programme as a symbol of "friendship between the Chinese and Americans," even as the summit left longstanding diplomatic differences unresolved.
The two pandas, both born in 2020, were raised at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Among the few tangible results of Xi's state visit, the panda loan generated goodwill but stopped short of any diplomatic breakthrough.
The practice of panda diplomacy between China and the US dates to 1972, when Chairman Mao Zedong and Richard Nixon first established it.
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The IndependentTwo giant pandas head to Atlanta zoo from China after Trump-Xi agreementThe GuardianTwo giant pandas set off to Atlanta zoo from China after Xi-Trump summitReutersGiant pandas arrive at Zoo Atlanta for 10-year stayAP2 giant pandas set off to Atlanta zoo from China after Xi-Trump summitdw.comChina sends two giant pandas off to Atlanta zoo after Xi-Trump summit - dw.comWXLVTwo giant pandas on loan from China land in Atlanta and head to Zoo Atlanta - WXLVQazinformChina's giant pandas Pingping and Fushuang depart for 10-year stay at Zoo Atlanta - QazinformAnadolu Ajansı2 giant pandas depart China for 10-year stay at Zoo Atlanta - Anadolu AjansıThe Business TimesPanda diplomacy: China sends two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta after Trump-Xi summit - The Business TimesABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos2 giant pandas set off to Atlanta zoo from China after Xi-Trump summit - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and VideosThe Independent on MSNGiant pandas head to Atlanta zoo from China after Trump-Xi agreementDaily Mail NewsAdorable giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang touch down in America
