Storyline: A welcoming ceremony for two Chinese giant pandas was held on Wednesday at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, one of the world's oldest zoos, marking the official start of their decade-long stay in Austria for scientific research and as ambassadors of friendship. The pandas, male He Feng and female Lan Yun, arrived in Austria on April 23. Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted that giant pandas are a symbol of the strong friendship between Austria and China. Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who led a delegation to Austria from Sunday to Wednesday, also attended the welcoming ceremony. As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the pandas' arrival, to the cheers of visitors. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading "warmly welcome" to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda. The panda pair's arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003. The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education. Shotlis: Vienna, Austria - May 14, 2025: 1. Various of Schoenbrunn Zoo, visitors entering zoo 2. Various of giant panda eating bamboos 3. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen addressing welcome ceremony for Chinese giant pandas 4. SOUNDBITE (German) Alexander Van der Bellen, Austrian President (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shot 5): "Cooperations like these create trust. They bring nations closer together. We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. And the giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian [partnership]." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Attendees listening to Bellen's speech [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 6. Various of giant pandas resting, eating bamboos 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairman, National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee (starting with shot 6/partially overlaid with shot 8): "Like ambassadors, they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Various of Bellen, Li, other dignitaries holding scroll with pandas' profiles [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Various of lion dance performed to welcome pandas' arrival, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, other guests 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Stocker, Austrian Chancellor (ending with shot 11): "It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn." 11. Various of giant panda eating bamboos 12. Various of children wearing paper hats adorned with panda faces, holding welcome signs, posing for photos with dignitaries. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]