A panda cub excitedly greeted zoogoers with its front paws raised as they lined up outside its enclosure hoping to get a closer look.

The panda, named Xingyun, started its own 'meet-and-greet', touching palms with everyone through the glass much like a singer at a concert interacting with fans.

Dozens of visitors at the Chengdu Panda Base, in Sichuan, south-western China, stood in long queues around Xingyun's enclosure taking photos and videos of its lively welcome.

Phone footage shows the cub standing on its hind legs, extending its front paws towards the tourists.

The panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also known as the giant panda, is native to China and is one of the most beloved and recognisable animals worldwide.

Known for its distinctive black and white fur, the giant panda is a symbol of conservation efforts. It primarily feeds on bamboo, although it has the digestive system of a carnivore.

Giant pandas are solitary creatures, typically found in mountainous bamboo forests, and are characterised by their gentle demeanor and playful antics.

Due to habitat loss and poaching, they are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.