Three giant pandas born in Belgium return to China

Tian Bao, Bao Di, and Bao Mei, three giant pandas born at Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium, embarked on their journey back to China on Tuesday, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Pairi Daiza told Global Times that the zoo held an emotional farewell for the three giant pandas on Tuesday morning, and all the giant pandas are currently in good health.

Tian Bao, born in 2016, along with his younger siblings, twins Bao Di and Bao Mei, born in 2019, will join the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Bifengxia, southwest China's Sichuan Province. There, they will participate in conservation and breeding projects, Xinhua reported.

Johan Vreys, Press Relations and Community Manager of Pairi Daiza, told Global Times on Tuesday that currently, all three giant pandas and their parents are in good health. Pairi Daiza zoo held an emotional farewell for Tian Bao, Bao Di, and Bao Mei on Tuesday morning.

Thousands of panda fans gathered at Pairi Daiza in the early morning light to bid a heartfelt goodbye to the three lovely pandas. Following strict biosecurity measures, they wore mouth masks and waved Belgian and Chinese flags, their emotions palpable in the cool morning mist, the zoo said.

At the farewell ceremony, children clung tightly to plush panda toys, their eyes wide with sadness and marvel, while others silently wiped away tears. The gentle murmur of goodbyes and the occasional sob echoed through The Gallery of the Worlds as the pandas were carefully transported past the crowd, according to the zoo.

“For many, this was more than a farewell to beloved animals—it was also a poignant moment to honor symbols of best wishes, hope, unity, and the joy they had brought into countless lives.” the zoo emphasized.

In 2013, Pairi Daiza partnered with the Chinese party and signed a 15-year international cooperation agreement on the conservation for Giant Pandas. Since 2014, they have touched the hearts of Belgium, blessing the country with the birth of three beautiful cubs: Tian Bao, born on June 2, 2016, followed by the twins Bao Di and Bao Mei, born on August 8, 2019, the zoo told the Global Times.

At a farewell ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Fei Shengchao said, according to Xinhua: “Giant pandas are not only adorable and rare animals that bring joy to people but also serve as a bridge connecting emotions and fostering cultural exchange. They symbolize the shared commitment of China and Belgium to protecting nature and living in harmony with it.”

At Pairi Daiza zoo, the giant pandas resided in the Chinese Garden, which spans 45,000 square meters, making it the largest Chinese garden in Europe. Construction began in 2005, and in 2014, giant pandas Xing Hui and Hao Hao arrived as envoys of friendship to settle into this warm home. The entire garden was built using materials sourced from China, showcasing the aesthetic beauty and philosophical essence of traditional Chinese architecture, according to the Wechat account of Belgian Embassy in China.

Their parents, Xing Hui and Hao Hao, will remain at Pairi Daiza till 2029, the zoo stated, continuing their roles as ambassadors for China-Belgium relations while promoting cultural exchange and raising environmental awareness, according to Xinhua.