Giant panda pair meets public at Washington zoo

A pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, met the public at Smithsonian's National Zoo in the Washington D.C.of the United States on Friday.

The three-year-old pandas arrived in the United States on Oct 15, 2024, as part of a 10-year international cooperation program for giant panda protection.

After over three months' adaption at their new home, the pandas have finally met the public.

To celebrate Bao Li and Qing Bao's arrival, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is hosting a two-week-long event.

After more than a year without pandas in the country's capital, the American public flocked to the zoo to catch their first glimpse of the adorable giant pandas, and they were delighted at the pandas' playful antics in the snow.

"They're not that shy and they're so cute," said a young visitor.

For many panda enthusiasts, the return of these beloved creatures has been a source of immense excitement and joy, rekindling connections to cherished memories and international bonds.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time. It's been a sad year without pandas, so this is really exciting," said a visitor dressed in a panda costume.

"I have met so many wonderful friends because of pandas, across the country and around the world," said another visitor.

"It was a long year. In fact, I went to San Diego twice to see their pandas, you know, just to see pandas. It's just a joy to have them back," said another visitor.

"I think she'll love that they're kind of a silly creature. They're bumbling and fun and I think we enjoy that they're a symbol of the D.C. and a connection to the international community," said a visitor who bought his daughter to see the pandas.

For those unable to see the pandas in person, they can still enjoy panda facts and track their activities through a dedicated Panda Cam, featuring 40 cameras. One of the highlights is watching them munch on bamboo.

"So we offer over 100 pounds of bamboo to each panda each day. You know, we have worked with giant pandas for over 50 years at this facility and the things that we've learned, you know, in terms of their reproduction, have helped pandas worldwide. Our indication is that hopefully this pair will breed naturally and have a cub here at some point," said Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator of Asia Trail and Giant Pandas, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

This latest chapter in panda cooperation between China and the United States was praised by Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the United States.

"As Bao Li and Qing Bao have begun their 10-year journey in D.C., I believe our new round of panda cooperation will yield even more fruitful outcomes," he said.

The pandas are not yet sexually mature, but in a few years, zookeepers hope they will mate and produce offspring. Any cubs born to the pair will return to China by the age of four.

Giant panda pair meets public at Washington zoo

Giant panda pair meets public at Washington zoo

Giant panda pair meets public at Washington zoo

Giant panda pair meets public at Washington zoo

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"