What happened
The Smithsonian National Zoo said Wednesday that China is sending two giant pandas to Washington, D.C., before the end of the year. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 2, will arrive roughly a year after the zoo's previous pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang — Bao Li's grandparents — returned to China with their cub, Xiao Qi Ji.
Who said what
"I am filled with such joy right now," said Brandie Smith, the zoo's director. "I don't think we thought it would happen this quickly." Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng encouraged "everyone to care for China-U.S. relations just as you care for pandas."
The announcement "was a surprise, given the tense relationship between the United States and China," The Washington Post said. Only one panda family remains in the U.S., at Zoo Atlanta, and they will "return to China later this year," The Associated Press said. The San Diego Zoo could get a pair of pandas this summer.
What next?
Bao Li and Qing Bao will remain in Washington until April 2034, under a 10-year lease that includes annual $1 million donations to the China Wildlife and Conservation Association.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
September 1 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
-
Gregg Wallace apologises for 'women of a certain age' jibeSpeed Read MasterChef presenter says he was 'not in a good headspace' when he made the comments regarding complainants
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
-
'Heartbreak' as One Direction star Liam Payne dies aged 31Speed Read Singer fell from third floor of hotel in Argentina
-
Han Kang of South Korea wins literature Nobel PrizeSpeed Read She is the first South Korean and first Asian woman to win the award
-
Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter, is dead at 88Speed Read The musician wrote hit songs for Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash before starring in Hollywood movies
-
'Shogun' dominates Emmys, 'Hacks' surprisesSpeed Read 'Shogun' won a record 18 Emmys and 'Hacks' beat 'The Bear' in a surprise upset
-
Taylor Swift ties Beyoncé record at MTV awardsSpeed Read The pop star's acceptance speeches encouraged fans to register to vote and commemorated the victims of 9/11
-
Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben AffleckSpeed Read The famous couple are splitting after two years of marriage
