Giant pandas on loan to the US returns to China amid trade war between ...

Two giant pandas that had been on loan to the United States have returned home to China. 

Bai Yun, a 27-year-old female giant panda, and her son, six-year-old Xiao Liwu, arrived in their ancestral homeland of Sichuan province in south-west China yesterday after a long-term conservation agreement ended, according to Xinhua News.

Their departure comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade and national security.

Bai Yun cuddles her son, six-year-old Xiao Liwu, at the San Diego Zoo in California. The pair arrived in their ancestral homeland of Sichuan province in south-west China yesterday after a long-term conservation agreement ended between the US zoo and China

Bai Yun cuddles her son, six-year-old Xiao Liwu, at the San Diego Zoo in California. The pair arrived in their ancestral homeland of Sichuan province in south-west China yesterday after a long-term conservation agreement ended between the US zoo and China

The pandas are being transported in a large lorry to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Sichuan province

The pandas are being transported in a large lorry to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Sichuan province

Bai Yun settles in her new home at the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas after arriving in Sichuan yesterday morning

Bai Yun settles in her new home at the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas after arriving in Sichuan yesterday morning

Bai Yun arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1996 as a tiny cub and soon became a star attraction of the park, one of very few in the US to have giant pandas. 

Erica Kohler, director of operations of the zoo, said Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu attracted about two million visitors to the centre each year. 

Bai Yun, which means 'white clouds' in Chinese, has given birth to six cubs at the zoo during her 23-year-stay. Xiao Liwu, which means 'little gift', was her last baby and born in 2012.

A large group of excited volunteers and workers were seen welcoming the animals with a banner that reads 'Welcome Giant Pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu back home'

A large group of excited volunteers and workers were seen welcoming the animals with a banner that reads 'Welcome Giant Pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu back home'

Xiao Liwu tucks into a hearty meal of bamboo shoots after arriving in Sichuan province yesterday

Bai Yun (pictured) and Xiao Liwu seem to be settling in well in their home, and caretakers said they are in good health following checkups

Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu seem to be settling in well in their home, and caretakers at the Dujiangyan centre said they are in good health following checkups

Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu (pictured above) seem to be settling in well in their home, and caretakers said they are in good health following checkups

Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu (pictured above) seem to be settling in well in their home, and caretakers said they are in good health following checkups

Xiao Liwu, which means 'little gift' in Chinese, enjoys a meal of bamboo in his new home

Xiao Liwu, which means 'little gift' in Chinese, enjoys a meal of bamboo in his new home

Xiao Liwu's father, Gao Gao, returned to China last year. The departure of the pandas mark the first time in more than 20 years that the zoo will be without pandas.

Last month, the San Diego Zoo held a three-week farewell event for the giant pandas, with more than 1,000 Americans lining up to say goodbye to the adorable pair.

Video footage released by China News shows the pandas being transported in a large lorry to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas.

A large group of excited volunteers and workers were seen welcoming the animals with a banner that reads 'Welcome Giant Pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu back home.' 

Last month, the San Diego Zoo held a three-week farewell event for the giant pandas, with more than 1,000 Americans lining up to say goodbye to the adorable pair

Last month, the San Diego Zoo held a three-week farewell event for the giant pandas, with more than 1,000 Americans lining up to say goodbye to the adorable pair

Bai Yun, which means 'white clouds' in Chinese, has given birth to six cubs at the zoo during her 23-year-stay. Xiao Liwu, which means 'little gift', was her last baby and born in 2012

Bai Yun, which means 'white clouds' in Chinese, has given birth to six cubs at the zoo during her 23-year-stay. Xiao Liwu, which means 'little gift', was her last baby and born in 2012

Erica Kohler, director of operations of the San Diego zoo, said Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu attracted about two million visitors to the centre in California every year

Erica Kohler, director of operations of the San Diego zoo, said Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu attracted about two million visitors to the centre in California every

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