STORY: "Panda ambassadors" win hearts worldwide
SHOOTING TIME: File
DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:14
LOCATION: Madrid/San Diego/Washington, D.C./Berlin
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of giant pandas across the world
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EVA CRUZ, Zoo visitor
3. various of giant pandas across the world
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (German): KAI WEGNER, Governing Mayor of Berlin

STORYLINE:

On April 29, 2024, giant panda couple Jin Xi and Zhu Yu arrived at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas International Airport.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EVA CRUZ, Zoo visitor
"I like pandas a lot because, of course, here in Spain, we don't see them often. They can always catch our attention, because of their colors, the way they eat, etc. Through animals, we can better connect with nature, and we also become closer as countries, even though geographically we are very far apart. So, collaborations like this are great."

On August 8, 2024, two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, made their public debut at the San Diego Zoo. August 8 was proclaimed California Panda Day in celebration.

On Oct. 15, 2024, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived in Washington, D.C.

On Dec. 6, 2024, Zoo Berlin announced the names of its baby panda twins: Meng Hao, meaning "beautiful dreams," and Meng Tian, "sweet dreams." Their mother, Meng Meng, arrived in Berlin from China in 2017.

SOUNDBITE 2 (German): KAI WEGNER, Governing Mayor of Berlin
"I am very proud that we now have two new giant pandas here in our zoo. Zoo Berlin is the only zoo in Germany that has giant pandas. This makes me extremely proud and incredibly happy. I am also very grateful that these giant pandas connect our countries. Germany and China are brought closer together through these pandas, allowing more dialogue and exchange."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Madrid/San Diego/Washington, D.C./Berlin.
(XHTV)