During a U.S.‑China summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that two giant pandas would be sent to Zoo Atlanta, a move that revives Beijing’s long‑standing diplomatic strategy.
The gesture is part of what has been called “panda diplomacy,” a practice that has seen China loan or gift pandas to foreign zoos for decades as a way of fostering goodwill.
While the exact details of the pandas’ arrival and care arrangements have not yet been released, the promise was made in the presence of U.S. officials and the media.
Experts view the gift as a soft‑power tactic aimed at improving bilateral relations, especially as the two countries continue to negotiate on a range of political and economic issues.
Zoo Atlanta, located in the southeastern United States, will be the new home for the animals, which are expected to become a major attraction for visitors and a symbol of the ongoing diplomatic engagement between China and the United States.
<small>Source: CNBC — read the original story there.</small>