Meet Bao Li and Qing Bao, the National Zoo's newest panda pair

WASHINGTON (7News) — Panda lovers, rejoice! After extended radio silence at the Smithsonian National Zoo on the much-beloved giant pandas and the future of their former enclosure, officials announced that D.C. will welcome a pair of new cubs by the end of this year.

The two-year-old pandas, a male named Bao Li (meaning treasure and energetic in Mandarin Chinese), and a female named Qing Bao (meaning green and treasure in Mandarin Chinese) will make their way to the nation's capitol as part of a 10-year research and breeding agreement.

John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian National Zoo Dr. Brandie Smith and Chinese ambassador Xie Feng spoke Wednesday morning about the historic moment.

"Dear friends, giant pandas are national treasures of China, superstars at the National Zoo, the favorite of many around the world. The AI panda channel where you can watch pandas eating and sleeping 24 hours nonstop has attracted 5 million followers globally." the ambassador said. "Now with this latest round of panda conservation cooperation, as we mark the 45th anniversary [of] diplomatic ties, American friends will get to see pandas more often."

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Renovation of the zoo's giant panda habitat has been underway since November 2023, which will provide more room for the bears to roam and provide new permanent furnishings like shallow pools bamboo stands, and multi-level climbing structures, according to a statement.

The news came after a November 2023 visit to California by Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he signaled the appearance of more pandas in U.S. zoos. The announcement appeared to soothe fears some held that the program was ending due to diplomatic tensions.

The last set of pandas at the National Zoo, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji, spent much of their lives in D.C. before returning to China on Nov. 8, 2023, where they entered into a breeding program. Their departure was met by an outpouring of farewells and fond memories nationwide.

Officials said Bao Li is the grandchild of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and his mother Bao Bao was born at the National Zoo in 2013.

The black and white pandas have symbolized friendly ties between the two countries since Beijing first gifted a pair in 1972. Other zoos received pandas as part of a loan agreement, which also helped researchers boost the giant panda population. According to the Smithsonian, panda conservation programs in the U.S. have helped move the species from "endangered" to "vulnerable."

Earlier this year, leaders from San Diego and San Francisco, Calif. said they would both reap the benefits of the "panda diplomacy" with each being loaned two pandas. The San Diego Zoo will likely greet the pandas as early as this summer while the San Francisco Zoo is expected to meet their pair in 2025.

As of May, Atlanta, Georgia is the only city in the nation with pandas (four to be exact), though their agreement is set to expire later this year.

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