The announcement came as President Xi Jinping met with President Donald Trump and other White House officials on Thursday in Washington, where he revealed plans to ship Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to the Atlanta Zoo. The move is part of a new conservation partnership between the Atlanta Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, and the pandas will arrive from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. No arrival date has been set yet, and the zoo has said it will keep the public updated.
King expressed excitement, noting that the community has been looking forward to the new animals. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the cooperation would strengthen global biodiversity protection and deepen ties between Chinese and American peoples. The Atlanta Zoo's earlier agreement, which ended in 2024, had the pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang produce seven cubs before the pair and their youngest offspring returned to China in October.
The zoo is already upgrading its facilities, adding climate‑controlled enclosures and enrichment systems, with technical guidance from Chinese experts. The renovations aim to provide a habitat that mimics the pandas' natural environment and meets international welfare standards.
Panda loans have long served as a symbol of friendship between China and the United States, dating back to the 1972 gift of a pair to Washington's National Zoo. The policy, known as "panda diplomacy," has also been employed by China in other U.S. zoos, including San Diego.
Once the upgrades are complete, the Atlanta Zoo will announce the exact arrival date and the logistics for the pandas' transport. In the meantime, the zoo will continue to prepare the enclosure and staff for the animals' arrival.