Home / Environment / Panda Twins' Journey Home: From Tokyo to Sichuan
Panda Twins' Journey Home: From Tokyo to Sichuan
28 Jan
Summary
- Twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei returned safely to China.
- The pandas were born in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in 2021.
- Their return highlights China's panda diplomacy efforts.
Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei successfully arrived in Sichuan, China, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a departure from Tokyo. The twin pandas, born in 2021 at Ueno Zoo, were transported to the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, Sichuan, where they will undergo quarantine.
Their arrival continues China's long-standing practice of 'panda diplomacy,' a strategy employed since 1949 to enhance its global image and forge international relationships. Pandas born abroad typically return to China for breeding programs between the ages of two and four. Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei's journey highlights their role in building bridges of friendship between China and Japan, despite current diplomatic tensions.
Panda diplomacy is a key element of China's foreign policy, using the iconic species to foster goodwill. The return of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei to a breeding program in Sichuan emphasizes this ongoing commitment to conservation and international relations. Their presence in Japan had previously been noted for contributing positively to Sino-Japanese friendship.
