Chinese fans, keeper bid farewell as two giant pandas head to U.S. for 10-year stay

Chinese panda admirers and keeper expressed farewell wishes for the pair of bears heading for the United States, where they will spend the next 10 years at Zoo Atlanta in the state of Georgia.

Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang departed from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province on a chartered flight at 02:55 on Sunday.

At the breeding base in Chengdu, visitors shared their hopes for the pandas.

"Of course, we wish them a good life abroad, and they carry the blessings of all Chinese people," said one visitor.

"I hope they can eat well, drink well, and just grow up healthy -- that's all I want," another said. The male panda, Ping Ping, born on March 17, 2020, is easily recognizable due to his large, dark eye rims. He has a stocky build, moves nimbly, and has demonstrated proficiency in climbing trees, often resting among the branches.

Fu Shuang, the female panda, born on October 18, 2020, is characterized by a small tuft of fluffy fur on its head and a full, protruding forehead. With a round appearance, she is quick to react and very capable of foraging for food.

"I hope that the U.S. can take good care of them, and hopefully they'll come back even cuter," said a young girl.

Fu Jia, a keeper at the base, has been involved in caring for Ping Ping since his birth and has worked with both pandas over the past three to four years.

"Ping Ping's name, together with that of his brother An An, comes from the wish for them to be safe and sound throughout their lives. Fu Shuang's mother is named Fu Lu, which carries the meaning of both fortune and prosperity. Actually, Fu Shuang has a distinctive feature -- a 'dolphin-shaped forehead' -- which is particularly noticeable when compared with Ping Ping," Fu said.

The caretaker said that she has gotten to know both bears very well, noting that each has distinct tastes and personality traits.

"Ping Ping is bolder and gentler. Every time I train him with an apple in hand, he makes cooing sounds to show how eager he is to eat. But Fu Shuang is different -- she loves honey," Fu said.

In April this year, China announced that it had signed a 10-year agreement with Zoo Atlanta for cooperative research on giant panda conservation. Under the agreement, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will stay in the United States for the cooperation program.

"After all, we've raised them for so long -- they're like our own children. We've been with them since they were about 100 grams at birth, and now they're big and heavy. They'll be abroad for 10 years, and it will be a long time before we see them again. It's hard to say goodbye," said Fu.

To ensure the pandas' health in the United States, the U.S. side has renovated and upgraded the venue to offer a more comfortable and safer living environment for the pandas.

"As their names suggest, we wish them safety and soundness. Most importantly, I really hope they stay healthy and safe. And if there's a chance, hopefully they'll have cubs," Fu said.

Upon arrival in Atlanta, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will undergo quarantine and health checks. Chinese veterinarians and keepers will stay at the zoo throughout the quarantine period to care for the pandas and help them adapt to their new surroundings through acclimation and behavioral training.

Giant pandas have long been part of the story between China and the United States. The first pair, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, arrived in Washington in 1972 -- a historic moment that made the black-and-white bears beloved symbols of the bilateral relationship.

More than 50 years later, the journey of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang carries that tradition forward, offering a fresh reminder of the enduring people-to-people bonds the two countries share.

Chinese fans, keeper bid farewell as two giant pandas head to U.S. for 10-year stay

Chinese fans, keeper bid farewell as two giant pandas head to U.S. for 10-year stay

Chinese fans, keeper bid farewell as two giant pandas head to U.S. for 10-year stay

Chinese fans, keeper bid farewell as two giant pandas head to U.S. for 10-year stay

Chinese women artists in New York are advancing exchange and deepening mutual understanding across cultures through local galleries, art exhibitions and genuine interpersonal connections built on a passion for art.

One such artist is Christina Wong, who has long integrated her personal artistic practice into cross-cultural interaction. Based in Lower Manhattan, a vibrant hub for global artistic creation and communication, she founded Lumen Studio and regularly visits galleries in the area.

Originally from east China's Shandong and south China's Shenzhen, Wong has settled in New York and immersed herself in the city's diverse art community. She believes artistic passion transcends cultural boundaries, allowing people from all walks of life to connect naturally and build sincere friendships across different backgrounds and perspectives.

"I feel like if you share a passion for art, literally, you can just talk to anybody. And if you go to an art show, there're so many art shows and beautiful galleries in New York, and you can meet people from all walks of life. And you just immediately understand, if you share this passion, and it's so easy for you to make friends," said Wong.

Wong's artistic friendship with Shihui Zhou, founder and director of Latitude Gallery, exemplifies the organic cultural exchanges that take place in the city. Established in 2020 in downtown Manhattan, Latitude Gallery focuses on showcasing emerging talents from the Asian diaspora, amplifying contemporary Asian artistic voices within the Western art scene.

"When we achieve a connection, it's very joyful. And then it's exchange and it's just simply very wonderful to see that people are curious," said Zhou.

She noted that art offers a unique, accessible channel for cross-cultural communication.

"It's great for people to compare and to really experience both different cultures," the gallery founder said.

In New York, a global melting pot of cultures, the two female artists have proven that art serves as a powerful bridge for cultural integration and mutual learning.

"I've made so many friends, honestly, just by being a little bit more present in the art world," said Wong.

Both artists acknowledged that while art cannot resolve international political differences, it can cultivate mutual respect on a much smaller canvas.

Chinese women artists bridge China-US ties through art