Washington welcomes two new giant pandas

Bao Li and Qing Bao are headed to Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, on Tuesday for a 10-year stay. LI CHUANYOU/FOR CHINA DAILY

Three-year-old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived in Washington, DC, on Tuesday for the beginning of a 10-year stay at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

An experienced Chinese breeder and a veterinarian are accompanying the pandas to help them acclimate to their new environment, according to the Sichuan province-based China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.

Both Bao Li, a male panda born in August 2021, and Qing Bao, a female born in September 2021, display lively characteristics and a fondness for climbing, according to the giant panda center.

Bao Li translates into English as "treasure" and "energy", while Qing Bao means "green" and "treasure".

Earlier this month, the National Zoo in Washington sent a team of keepers and veterinarians to China to participate in the care of the two pandas and in disease prevention efforts, in preparation for their journey to the United States, following the signing of a cooperation agreement in April between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the zoo.

Chinese experts have also conducted multiple assessments in the US of aspects such as the giant pandas' living environment, care management, food supply and healthcare, the giant panda center confirmed.