Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo announced today that fan-favorite twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will return to the Chinese mainland on January 27, 2026, marking the end of their five-year stay in Japan. The siblings will make their final public appearance this Friday, January 25, giving fans one last chance to say goodbye. 🎋
Since their 2021 arrival, the pandas have drawn over 10 million visitors, becoming symbols of cross-cultural friendship. Zoo director Haruka Yamaguchi called them “ambassadors of joy” during Tuesday’s press conference, while conservationists emphasized their return aligns with China’s global panda-breeding program to protect the endangered species.
🔍 Why it matters: Panda diplomacy remains a soft-power cornerstone for China, with leased pandas fostering international ties. Their departure follows recent agreements to advance wildlife conservation partnerships between Asian nations.
