‘Panda diplomacy’ resurges with pair headed to San Diego Zoo

Months after the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., saw its beloved giant pandas get sent back to China , "panda diplomacy" is set to make a resurgence with a new pair headed to California .

The pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, were met in China by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance officials, and the two were selected to be sent and cared for by the San Diego Zoo, according to a Monday press release from the zoo.

"It was an honor to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao in person and meet our conservation partners caring for them at the Wolong and Bifengxia Panda Bases," Megan Owen, the vice president of conservation science for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said. "Yun Chuan's lineage has deep connections to the San Diego Zoo and we're excited by the prospect of caring for them."

Yuan Chuan is a mild-mannered and lovable male panda that is around 5 years old, and Xin Bao is a gentle and witty introverted female panda that is around 4 years old, according to the release.

"Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special," Owen said.

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"It's inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can't wait to welcome them to San Diego."

An exact date for the pandas' arrival in San Diego has not been confirmed, but their coming to California sees a resurgence in "panda diplomacy," which has served as a symbol of America's relations with China since 1972.