Pandamonium In Washington: A New Era Of Panda Diplomacy

Washington, D.C. has rolled out the red carpet for two very special guests. For the first time in 24 years, the U.S. capital welcomed a new set of pandas from China. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3 years old, touched down at Washington Dulles Airport on Tuesday morning, carried by none other than the FedEx cargo plane aptly named the "Panda Express."

Amid heightened security and a swarm of media, the furry diplomats were carefully unloaded from the plane in large metal crates, ferried to the terminal, and then transported to their new home—the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The pandas will remain at the zoo for 10 years as part of a conservation agreement with China, which includes an annual fee of $1 million to support efforts to save the species.

Although panda lovers are eager to meet the cuddly duo, they’ll have to wait. Zoo members get a sneak peek on January 10, 2025, while the general public won’t get to see them until January 24. Until then, Bao Li and Qing Bao will spend at least 30 days in quarantine, where they’ll be kept active with enrichment activities designed to help them adjust to their new environment.

The arrival of the pandas is a welcome bright spot in U.S.-China relations, which have been strained over issues like trade, technology, and geopolitics. This panda diplomacy harks back to a long history of cultural exchange between the two nations, beginning with President Richard Nixon’s historic 1972 trip to China, which resulted in the arrival of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing at the National Zoo.

Bao Li has a particularly special connection to Washington. His mother, Bao Bao, was born at the zoo in 2013 and returned to China after four years. His grandparents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, lived at the zoo for 23 years until their departure last year.

Mariel Lally, a panda keeper from the National Zoo, who accompanied the pandas on their long journey, described the pandas' personalities. Bao Li, she says, is an energetic and curious bear with a big personality, much like his grandfather. On the other hand, Qing Bao is more introverted and independent, often choosing to relax in trees or on her climbing structure.

As Bao Li and Qing Bao settle into their new home, anticipation is building for their public debut. The return of pandas to Washington marks the end of an 11-month void at the zoo, which had been without its star attraction since last November. The National Zoo’s beloved Panda Cam will also be relaunching, allowing fans worldwide to watch the bears in action once again.

With the Smithsonian’s panda program back in full swing, Washington D.C. is sure to experience another wave of panda mania. Let the countdown begin!