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Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

A cage carrying giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister, Lei Lei, is unloaded from a plane at an airport in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in the early hours of Jan. 28, 2026, after leaving Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, where they were born and raised, the previous day. The pandas will head to a giant panda conservation and research center in Ya'an in the province.

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Japan: Tokyo’s Beloved Panda Twins Depart for China Amid Fan Farewell

Twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born and raised at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, departed for their return to China on Tuesday, January 27. As the two pandas left Ueno Zoo by truck in the afternoon, heading to Narita Airport, hundreds of fans gathered along the sidewalk near the zoo to see them off.

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Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei head to a giant panda conservation and research center in the Chinese city of Yaan, Sichuan Province, after arriving at an airport in Chengdu from Japan on Jan. 28, 2026. The twin pandas left Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, where they were born and raised, the previous day.

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Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Female giant panda Lei Lei is loaded into a truck after arriving at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province from Japan on Jan. 28, 2026, with her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The twin pandas left the previous day Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens where they were born and raised.

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Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Female giant panda Lei Lei is loaded into a truck after arriving at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province from Japan on Jan. 28, 2026, with her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The twin pandas left the previous day Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens where they were born and raised.

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Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

Twin giant pandas' arrival in China from Japan

An airplane carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei arrives at an airport in Chengdu in China's Sichuan Province from Japan on Jan. 28, 2026. The twin pandas left the previous day Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens where they were born and raised.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People bid farewell to male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens as an airplane carrying them left for China from Narita airport near Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

Male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens are loaded into an airplane at Narita airport near Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, to depart to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A farewell message for male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens is posted on a building of department store Matsuzakaya Ueno in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, ahead of their departure to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026 before they are sent to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - Video shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January. (Kyodo)

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

China return for Ueno zoo pandas

Combined photo shows male giant panda Xiao Xiao (R) and his twin sister Lei Lei at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, ahead of their departure to China on Jan. 27. (Pool photo)

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

People in the final group selected by lottery to view male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei bid farewell to him at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, before the pandas' departure for China later in the month.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January. (Pool photo)

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

People queue at the cage for giant pandas at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows a shop selling giant panda goods at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows a shop selling giant panda goods at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

A visitor chooses souvenirs of giant panda Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Visitors take photos of giant panda Xiao Xiao at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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