GIANT pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their male cub Xiao Qi Ji departed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, wrapping up their stay in the United States and embarking on a journey back to China.

At a brief ceremony held at the zoo, keepers escorted three special crates each holding one panda to travel on Olmsted Walk in front of members of the press. The crates were later loaded on trucks heading to the Dulles International Airport.

Prior to the emergence of the panda crates, the zoo staff loaded supplies including 100 kg of bamboo on the trucks for the pandas to consume during their flight to China.

In remarks addressing the media, Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), hailed the China-U.S. collaboration on giant panda conservation that dated back over 50 years, which facilitated Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arriving in Washington, D.C. in 2000 and producing four adorable cubs in the years that followed.

“They are an iconic animal for the zoo, for the District of Columbia, and for our country as well,” Smith said of the panda couple and their offspring. “There are billions of people who have admired, celebrated, loved our giant pandas, and have participated in their conservation,” she said, adding the zoo was honored and grateful to their Chinese counterparts for making joint efforts in panda research and breeding.

Smith said it’s been hard for her to accept the fact that the three giant pandas are leaving — not only in this morning, but also in the days leading up to their departure. “But ultimately our focus today is on the safe transport of these animals to China. And it’s a moment of joy because this is one more step in 50 years of a successful giant panda conservation program.”

She expressed the hope that such cooperation would continue for another 50 years. “Please know that the future is bright for giant pandas. We remain committed to our program and we look forward to celebrating with all due when pandas can return to D.C.,” the director said.

Xu Xueyuan, minister of the Chinese embassy in the United States who also attended the event, said that since the arrival of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian in Washington 23 years ago, which also marked the beginning of cooperation between China and the NZCBI, Chinese and U.S. teams “have worked closely and fruitfully on giant panda conservation and research.”

Such collaboration has resulted in remarkable accomplishments on giant panda breeding, disease prevention and treatment, as well as public education, Xu said, adding that in doing so, professionals from the two countries have “contributed strongly to the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.”

Noting that the NZCBI has provided “loving care” for Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cubs featuring “high standard facilities” and “leading veterinary and research expertise,” Xu said the pandas “have delighted millions of visitors in the U.S. and from other parts of the world. “

“Today, agreed by both sides, it is time for Mei Xiang and Tian Tian to bring Xiao Qi Ji back home,” Xu continued, adding that the three pandas are in good health and ready for the flight.

“Giant pandas belong to China. Giant pandas also belong to the world,” Xu said. “China will continue to work closely with cooperation partners, including the United States, on the conservation and research of endangered species and biodiversity protection.”

(Xinhua)