The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is set to make its public debut Thursday with Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, China's giant panda pair. The California zoo's two animals are the first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years.
The zoo held a private event Wednesday that gave attendees a glimpse of the two giant pandas.
Staff at the zoo said the two pandas, who arrived from China in late June, were adapting well to their new home in a separate habitat.
China’s communist government has long used “panda diplomacy” to increase its power to persuade and win over others. The Chinese government has loaned the giant, black-and-white, cuddly creatures to zoos around the world for decades as ambassadors of animal friendship. (uh/ab)
