### New Pandas Set to Enchant Washington's National Zoo Once More

Two giant pandas are making a highly anticipated return to Washington's National Zoo, renewing excitement in the U.S. capital. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, embarked on their journey from Dujiangyan in southwest China on Monday night. These pandas are being transported via a specially chartered FedEx Boeing 777 cargo jet, aptly nicknamed "Panda Express."

The China Wildlife Conservation Association has ensured that the pandas' needs will be fully met during their trans-Pacific flight, with provisions including corn buns, bamboo shoots, carrots, water, and medicine. This marks the first time in 24 years that China has sent pandas to Washington, following the return of the previous panda pair and their cub to China last November.

In recent months, the National Zoo's panda exhibit had been empty, much to the dismay of its many visitors. The exhibit has recently undergone a million-dollar revamp and is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of its new residents. Director Brandie Smith took a moment to reflect on the long-standing partnership between the Smithsonian and Chinese conservationists since 1972, highlighting the global adoration for these beloved creatures.

Bao Li and Qing Bao's departure from Dujiangyan was a carefully managed affair. CNN was the only international media outlet allowed to document the process, which included a ceremonial sendoff attended by representatives from the National Zoo and staff waving banners wishing the pandas a safe journey.

Once they arrive in Washington, Bao Li and Qing Bao will be on loan to the National Zoo for ten years, with an annual fee of $1 million to support conservation initiatives back in China. Bao Li, whose mother Bao Bao was born at the same zoo in 2013, continues his family's legacy in the American capital. His grandparents, Meixiang and Tian Tian, were fixtures at the National Zoo for 23 years.

Considerable preparation has gone into ensuring that the pandas' journey is as comfortable as possible. The crates they will travel in are spacious enough for them to move around freely, and staff from both the Washington and Dujiangyan facilities have been working closely to make the transition smooth.

The return of giant pandas to Washington signifies more than just a zoo exhibit; it represents a bright spot in the otherwise strained relations between the U.S. and China. The gesture underscores the potential for cooperation and goodwill between the two nations, even amid geopolitical tensions.

With Bao Li and Qing Bao soon to be back in the spotlight, the National Zoo is ready to welcome millions of visitors eager to see these emblematic ambassadors of friendship and conservation.