Tearful Goodbyes in Malaysia as Pandas Head Back to China

A 2022 file image of Sheng Yi, one of the panda cubs recently returned to China from Malaysia. Image: Mohd Rasfan / AFP

Malaysian fans were reportedly in tears as two giant panda cubs returned back to China on Tuesday. Yi Yi and Sheng Yi were the offspring of Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who were loaned to Malaysia to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations. According to the arcane rules of China’s panda diplomacy, cubs born in foreign countries remain the property of China and are generally returned when they turn two. 

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by Cobus van Staden

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