Beijing is reportedly preparing to send two giant pandas to the United States, a move seen as a potential sign of improving diplomatic relations ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May.
Zoo Atlanta announced on April 23 that a male panda named Ping Ping and a female named Fu Shuang are included in a new agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The deal replaces a previous arrangement that expired in 2024, although no timeline has been given for their arrival.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on April 24.
China’s panda loan programme, often referred to as “panda diplomacy”, has long been used as a symbolic tool in foreign relations — strengthening ties with allies while signalling displeasure in strained partnerships.
In a notable recent example, China repatriated Japan’s last two pandas in January, ending a decades-long programme that began after diplomatic ties were restored in 1972. The move came amid heightened tensions over remarks by Japanese leadership regarding Taiwan-related security scenarios.
Meanwhile, US-China relations have shown signs of gradual stabilisation following a 2025 meeting between Trump and Xi in South Korea, which resulted in a temporary trade truce. However, broader geopolitical frictions continue to shape the relationship.
Earlier, in 2024, China sent two pandas to Washington after a period of absence that raised concerns about the future of panda exchanges with the US National Zoo. At the time, officials from both countries denied that political tensions were behind delays in renewing the agreement.
Mr Trump is expected to visit China in May, following the postponement of an earlier trip as attention shifted to developments involving the conflict with Iran.
