Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a three-day visit to Washington that China will send two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, according to multiple outlets. Xi described the pandas as an "envoy of friendship," per Axios.
The move revives what several outlets call China's long-running practice of "panda diplomacy," in which Beijing has used the animals as a tool of soft power for decades. CBS News reports the pair will bring the total number of Chinese pandas in the U.S. to six, and states Beijing first sent pandas to the U.S. in 1972 following President Richard Nixon's visit to China.
CBS News names the pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, according to The Guardian. The visit took place alongside discussions between Trump and Xi that, per Axios, were expected to also cover artificial intelligence, economic ties and critical minerals, along with a state dinner.
Coverage of the visit varied in tone. The Guardian's editorial board wrote that Xi's Washington visit appeared to do "nothing to shift the stalemate in bilateral relations" despite the friendly gestures. Trump, according to Axios, called the U.S.-China relationship a "truly great friendship" and greeted Xi on the tarmac.
NPR described the broader summit as combining "pageantry and pandas" at what it called an important time for both leaders.
How each side covered it
Left
- CBS News highlighted 'panda diplomacy' history, noting the two new pandas bring the U.S. total to six Chinese pandas.
- The Guardian emphasized the pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, as symbolic gestures amid an editorial arguing the Trump-Xi visit failed to ease real bilateral tensions.
- NPR framed the pandas as part of the visit's 'pageantry,' occurring at a politically important moment for both leaders.
- Left-leaning coverage noted China uses pandas to signal satisfaction or displeasure toward other nations while charging fees for their loan.
“a show of friendship, but no real attempt to address the tensions” — The Guardian
Center
- Axios and CNBC reported Xi's announcement that China would send two pandas to Zoo Atlanta, calling them an 'envoy of friendship.'
- Semafor described the visit as 'short on substance,' with the panda pledge alongside minor trade concessions and more student visas.
- CNBC and Axios framed the panda gift as reviving Beijing's decades-old soft-power strategy amid efforts to cool U.S.-China tensions.
- The Times of India took a lighter tone, contrasting Trump's past 'Kung Flu' rhetoric with his embrace of Xi's panda diplomacy.
“Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday during a visit with President Trump that China will send two pandas to Zoo Atlanta, calling them an "envoy of friendship."” — Axios
Right
- Independent Journal Review reported Xi's announcement that pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang would arrive at Zoo Atlanta within days.
- The outlet quoted Xi describing the pandas as a symbol of friendship during his White House visit with Trump.
Questions readers ask
What did China announce about pandas during the Trump-Xi summit?
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will send two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, calling them an "envoy of friendship," according to multiple outlets covering his visit with President Trump in Washington.
What is panda diplomacy?
Panda diplomacy refers to China's decades-old practice of using giant pandas as a tool of soft power and a signal of goodwill or displeasure toward other nations, according to CBS News and CNBC. Beijing sent its first pandas to the U.S. in 1972 following President Richard Nixon's visit to China.
How many pandas will be in the U.S. after this move?
According to CBS News, the two new pandas destined for Zoo Atlanta will bring the total number of Chinese pandas in the U.S. to six.
Did the Trump-Xi meeting address broader U.S.-China tensions?
Outlets differ on this. Axios reported the panda announcement could signal an attempt to cool tensions, while The Guardian's editorial board said the visit appeared to do nothing to shift the stalemate in bilateral relations.
What else was discussed during Xi's visit to Washington?
According to Axios, Trump and Xi were expected to discuss artificial intelligence, economic ties and critical minerals during the three-day visit, which also included a state dinner.
Sources · 8 outlet reports
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningWhat to know about "panda diplomacy" as China sends 2 more furry friends to U.S.
- NPRLeft-leaningTakeaways from the Trump-Xi state visit: Pageantry and pandas
- The GuardianLeft-leaningThe Guardian view on Trump and Xi: a show of friendship, but no real attempt to address the tensions | Editorial
- AxiosCenterTrump and Xi's summit revives panda diplomacy
- CNBCCenterAtlanta is getting pandas: China's Xi revives a longtime diplomatic strategy at summit with U.S.
- SemaforCenterTrump and Xi conclude Washington visit that was short on substance
- The Times of IndiaCenterAmerica laughs as Trump pivots from 'Kung Flu' to hug Xi’s panda diplomacy
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningChina to Send Pandas to Atlanta Within Days