KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 ― The importance of maintaining a good diplomatic relationship with China overrides the costs of RM2.25 million in maintaining the two giant pandas, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said today.

Answering PAS' Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah's question in Dewan Rakyat, the deputy minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said the two pandas helped to maintain good relations between the two countries.

“The operation and maintenance costs are expected to be around RM2.25 million a year, the costs are bear by the national zoo,” he said during Question Time.

“They are the best for maintaining good diplomatic relationship, the cost cannot be measured… it is very significant.

Earlier, the Kubang Kerai MP questioned the costs of maintaining the two giant pandas and whether it was significant to spend millions on them.

Two giant pandas, Fu Wa and Feng Yi, arrived on Malaysia last year on May 21 to celebrate the 40-year-old bilateral between Malaysia and China.

Both pandas have since been known as Xing Xing and Liang Liang, they will remain here for a 10-year conservation programme.