HOW PANDA 'AMBASSADORS' GENTLY BUILT TRUST OVERSEAS

For over 50 years, the lovable bears have won friends, enhanced image of country

During a visit to Adelaide Zoo on his recent official visit to Australia, Premier Li Qiang announced that China would loan a new pair of giant pandas to the country to continue cooperative research on conservation of the globally loved animal.

Adelaide Zoo has been home to giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni since 2009, when they were relocated to South Australia from Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

The ursine pair were lent for a period of 10 years, which was extended by five years in 2019 with the help of funding from the South Australian government. The extension of the loan is due to expire at the end of this year.