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Pandas

Pandas
Giant pandas are native to south central China. There are only about 1,800 in the wild, according to conservation organisation WWF.
Pandas remained hidden in remote areas of China until the Han dynasty, when they became pets in imperial palaces. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu
Trending in China

China pandas rise from unknown status to palace pets, national symbols, treasures

Iconic bear with the ‘might of a divine beast’ goes from relative obscurity to world of international diplomacy over many centuries.

US-China relations

In lead-up to Trump’s Beijing visit, China announces 2 pandas are set for US zoo

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Hong Kong culture

Opinion | Hong Kong can draw on Art March’s success by keeping it authentic

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Jackie Chan’s hot streak continues with Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe

Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe manages to overcome its previous instalment’s failings to become a fun, wholesome family adventure.

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Jackie Chan in a still from Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe (category IIA, Mandarin), directed by Derek Hui. Ma Li co-stars.
Japan

Video | Panda fans in Japan bid farewell to popular pair

Online applications for panda viewing lottery slots were 25 times the available 4,400 places.

Japan

‘They were cute’: Japan fans jostle for final glimpse of China-bound pandas

The departure of Xiao Xiao and his sister, Lei Lei, will leave Japan without any pandas for the first time since 1972.

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China-Japan relations

Japan’s last 2 giant pandas set for early trip home to China as tensions spiral

Return of twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei to mark first time Japan will be without any pandas since normalisation of diplomatic ties in 1972.

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Visitors have been queuing for hours to see Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo since it was announced they would leave earlier than previously planned. Photo: Kyodo
China-Japan relations

Bearly any time left for Japan’s panda lovers? Row with China threatens to end loans

A 50-year tradition of panda diplomacy appears to be reaching its end with the last pair set to leave amid heightened diplomatic tensions.

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Japan

Video | Japan to be without pandas for first time in 50 years

While the twin pandas were born in Japan, they belong to China under a loan agreement and are set to return by February 2026.

Indonesia

Meet ‘Rio’, the first giant panda cub born in Indonesia

The newborn is stable and showing healthy early signs such as strong vocalisation, effective nursing and steady weight gain.

Hu Chun holding her newborn cub. Photo: Taman Safari Indonesia via AP
Malaysia

Panda-monium in Penang as foreign artist paints over Malaysian heritage mural

The twist in the tale? It was an artistic collaboration between the Chinese tourist and the Malaysian painter.

Shi Shi with her finished painting of a panda. Photo: Handout
Ocean Park

Editorial | Pandas alone won’t save Hong Kong’s Ocean Park in the long term

The 48-year-old theme park recorded another deficit despite increased visitor numbers. It will have to reinvent itself to survive.

Hong Kong economy

Pandas give Hong Kong’s Ocean Park boost but deficit worsens to HK$275 million

Park attracted more visitors and revenue grew by 9 per cent, but Water World attraction, depreciation and other expenses hit bottom line.

Hong Kong’s pandas

Video | Hong Kong’s first giant panda twins turn one

Hong Kong’s first giant panda cubs, twins Jia Jia and De De, are celebrating their first birthday on August 15, 2025.

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Hong Kong’s pandas

Hong Kong’s Ocean Park reveals panda film in works as twin cubs turn 1

Theme park buzzing with excitement as 300 fans of twin cubs ‘Jia Jia’ and ‘De De’ show up to celebrate birthday.

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The twin cubs tuck into a birthday cake made up of fruits, vegetables and ice. Photo: Dickson Lee
Mainland China

Pandas and table tennis: China’s national icons fall victim to toxic fan culture

Panda conservation centre and table tennis star speak out about cyberbullying, internet rumours and the dark side of online fandom.

Hong Kong tourism

Michelle Yeoh takes a shine to Labubu made for Hong Kong panda cubs’ birthday

Oscar-winning actress among celebrities sent unique Labubu dolls as part of campaign by creator and Hong Kong tourism authorities.

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Japan

With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda loans can be a ‘bargaining chip’ to make bilateral ties stronger and allow China to show it can be a regional leader, analysts say.

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Giant panda Rauhin eats at Adventure World amusement park in Japan’s Wakayama prefecture on June 27. The four pandas that were on loan to the park have now returned to China. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

‘Sad that they leave Japan all at once’: panda fans bid farewell to beloved 4

The remaining two giant pandas are also due to return to China next February.

Hong Kong tourism

‘Panda fever’ created 19% attendance boost at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park: official

Tourism minister Rosanna Law says HK$121 million has been secured from Jockey Club Charities Trust to upgrade panda enclosure.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Tonic for Hong Kong as panda cubs named

Jia Jia and De De will continue to be huge draws for years to come and, with the right strategy, can boost the city’s economy in multiple ways.

Giant panda Ying Ying and her twin cubs Jia Jia and De De at Hong Kong‘s Ocean Park. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s pandas

Jia Jia and De De chosen as names for Hong Kong’s twin panda cubs

Names convey Cantonese slang term for encouragement ‘add oil’ and notion of virtue.

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Panda mum Ying Ying and her twin cubs, Jia Jia (left) and De De, at Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure on Tuesday. Photo: Eugene Lee
Malaysia

Malaysians debate cost of protecting Chinese pandas over native wildlife

Pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi, who returned to China on Sunday, cost Malaysia millions of ringgit in maintenance in their 11 years’ stay.

Hong Kong’s pandas

Pandas in Qatar? Meet the Hongkonger helping Chinese national treasures thrive

Giant pandas Suhail and Thuraya live in one of world’s largest air-conditioned enclosures under care of former Ocean Park worker Cissy Kou.

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Malaysia

‘Goodbye Fu Wa and Feng Yi!’: Malaysian panda fans bid an emotional farewell

The panda pair arrived in 2014 to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations and produced three offspring during their stay at Zoo Negara.

Feng Yi plays with her offspring, Yiyi, at Malaysia’s national zoo in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Japan

‘Panda politics’: sorrow and suspicion in Japan as China recalls 4 pandas

With the animals’ return in June before the expiry of a loan agreement, Japan will be left with just two pandas at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

Giant panda Fuhin and her mother Rauhin play at the Adventure World park in Shirahama in Japan in 2021. Photo: Kyodo
Malaysia

Malaysia’s pandas returning to China as a new conservation chapter starts

Fu Wa and Feng Yi, who have been in Malaysia for 11 years, will be replaced with a new pair under Xi Jinping’s freshly signed deal.

Hong Kong’s pandas

YouTube superstar IShowSpeed attracts crowds and chaos with his Hong Kong debut

Hong Kong police say at least two complaints filed over fans chasing streamer onto train, with station gate and Octopus card reader damaged.

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