China is sending giant pandas to US zoos for the first time in decades

recent years, China recalled pandas from three out of four US zoos that had the bears, signalling diplomatic tensions between the two countries – but this year China has offered two new pairs of giant pandas.

Two new pairs of giant pandas will join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington DC and the San Diego Zoo in California by the end of the year, signalling a shift in “panda diplomacy”.

“It’s official, the pandas are coming back to DC!” said US First Lady Jill Biden in an announcement on social media. This marks the first time in two decades that China has sent giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to…