On January 24, 2025, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo held the Giant Panda Exhibit Public Opening Ceremony, where the new panda pair Bao Li and Qing Bao made their official public debut. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and his wife Madam Wang Dan, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III and his wife Madam Maria Marable-Bunch, Mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser, Director of the National Zoo Brandie Smith, and Smithsonian board members attended the event.

In his remarks, Ambassador Xie said that giant pandas are not just national treasures of China, but also a shining example of China’s ecological conservation. The bond between our two peoples and pandas started over half a century ago, even earlier than the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.  Protecting pandas is protecting Mother Nature, and embracing pandas is embracing peace and friendship. Ambassador Xie said that the shared love of the Chinese and American people for pandas has deepened his conviction that China and the United States have much more in common than what divides us. Whenever he thinks of what has been achieved on panda cooperation, he will feel more confident that as long as our two countries work together, we can make big, great things happen, to the benefit of both our countries and the world.

Secretary Bunch, Mayor Bowser, and Director Smith expressed their thanks to the Chinese side for bringing the new pair of giant pandas to Washington D.C. They said that the U.S.-China cooperation in giant panda protection is a success story which has achieved fruitful results and helped the number of giant pandas grow steadily. Washington is a city of pandas, and they welcomed more people to visit the National Zoo to see the giant pandas.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Xie and the other speakers passed the key to open the giant panda exhibit, and visited Bao Li and Qing Bao together. More than 30 Chinese and international media covered the event.