BEIJING, Sept 27 — China sent two giant pandas to the United States today, state media said, after a Washington summit that was heavy on symbolism and light on major breakthroughs.

The pandas’ transfer had been already agreed but the departure was announced Thursday during Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Washington.

The black and white mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a “panda diplomacy” programme to foster foreign ties.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang departed from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a chartered plane at around 3am today (Malaysian/China time), state news agency Xinhua reported.

They are headed to a zoo in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will be spending the next 10-years.

A farewell ceremony was held for the pair before their journey by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Beijing recalled two of its pandas from Japan early this year, following a diplomatic spat that began when Japan’s prime minister hinted that Tokyo could intervene militarily in the event of any attack on Taiwan. — AFP