Panda lovers, rejoice! After nearly a year without those adorable black-and-white ambassadors, Washington, D.C.’s National Zoo is rolling out the bamboo carpet for Bao Li and Qing Bao, two new pandas fresh from China’s Sichuan province. This beloved pair has set out on a very exclusive FedEx flight dubbed the “Panda Express,” bringing back that crowd-magnet charm just in time for the holidays.
Their arrival isn’t just about boosting ticket sales, though—this is straight-up “panda diplomacy.” China’s strategic tradition of loaning pandas has been a unique way of promoting goodwill for over 50 years, dating back to President Nixon’s famous “panda exchange.” In today’s tense U.S.-China relations, pandas might just be the cutest way to keep diplomacy alive.
Bao Li and Qing Bao, each just three years old, have personalities to match their precious names—“Precious Vigour” and “Green Treasure.” Bao Li is a ball of energy with a bamboo obsession, while Qing Bao prefers long naps and the occasional tree-climbing session. Together, they represent a legacy: Bao Li’s grandfather, the well-known Tian Tian, lived at the National Zoo for over two decades, and fans are already calling Bao Li a near “Tian Tian Junior.”
Of course, not everyone in China is thrilled about these international “panda loans.” A small yet vocal faction on Chinese social media has raised concerns—some even questioned the care standards in U.S. zoos after a high-profile controversy involving another panda, Ya Ya, in Memphis. But the China Conservation and Research Centre has firmly debunked these worries, assuring fans worldwide that American zoos provide five-star panda treatment.
Meanwhile, the U.S. zoo staff has pulled out all the stops. Their million-dollar exhibit revamp is ready, and panda keeper Mariel Lally even spent weeks training with the bears in Sichuan to ensure they feel at home from day one. Bao Li and Qing Bao are due to star in their very own 24-hour Panda Cam, a favorite with millions of viewers worldwide.
So, get ready, D.C.—these two new superstars are ready to make waves, one bamboo shoot at a time!
