China’s famous panda diplomacy has returned to the United States as two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta after a 16-hour flight from China. Their arrival came just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. President Donald Trump for a summit. The meeting attracted attention for its symbolism, while major agreements remained limited. The arrival of the pandas has now brought the focus back to China’s long-standing use of pandas as a symbol of friendship and soft power in its relations with other countries. The pandas are expected to attract many visitors and become a major attraction in Atlanta. Panda exchanges between China and other countries have often been seen as a way to build cultural ties and improve public relations. Their arrival also highlights the wider relationship between the United States and China, which includes cooperation as well as disagreements over trade, technology and other issues.
