Pandas headed for Madrid in sign of bilateral friendship

Two giant pandas, in what is seen as the epitome of the friendship between China and Spain, are scheduled to depart for Madrid Zoo in Spain on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

According to the agreement on international conservation cooperation and research of giant pandas signed by China and Spain in 2007, the panda couple, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will begin a 10-year stay in Spain to further the friendship of the two peoples built upon pandas over the course of more than 40 years, Wang said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Jin Xi, a male, was born on Sept 1, 2020, with "Xi" meaning happiness. Zhu Yu, a female, was born on Oct 25, 2020, which was the Double Ninth Festival that year. Her name reflects seasonal and natural elements, embodying the profound cultural heritage of China.