Malaysia’s Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC) is set to welcome visitors soon with the arrival of its newest residents, a pair of giant pandas named Chen Xing and Xiao Yue.
The five-year-old male and female pandas arrived from China on Nov 18 and have since completed a one-month quarantine period, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup announced today.
Following their successful acclimatisation, China has approved the reopening of the GPCC to the public.
“Based on this assessment, the People’s Republic of China has agreed to allow the GPCC to be opened to visitors,” Arthur said in a statement shared on Zoo Negara’s Facebook page.
“I will announce the opening date in the near future,” he added.
The minister also revealed that the GPCC has undergone extensive upgrades, including refurbished enclosures, enhanced landscaping, improved indoor facilities and a new chiller system designed to ensure the pandas’ comfort while enhancing the visitor experience.
He noted that both Chen Xing and Xiao Yue were observed to be active and displaying normal behaviour, indicating that they have adapted well to their new environment.
Beyond their appeal to the public, the arrival of the pandas symbolises a renewed decade-long conservation collaboration between Malaysia and China, spanning from 2025 to 2035.
Malaysia is among 20 countries participating in giant panda conservation and research partnerships with China. Under the agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, Malaysia will host the panda pair for the next 10 years, until 2035.
