Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji celebrates 3rd birthday in U.S.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his third birthday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The cake was decorated with a blue "3" as well as sweet potatoes, apples and carrots. 　

Xiao Qi Ji, who weighs a little over 200 pounds, is "very healthy" and "energetic," according to Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. 　

Xiao Qi Ji, which literally means "little miracle" in English, was born on Aug. 21, 2020 to Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian, who also live in the Washington, D.C. zoo. 　

The three pandas will leave the United States by December, according to the zoo. A farewell celebration will be held from September 23 to October 1.