Welcome home, pandas!

2023 was a "homecoming" year for the pandas that have been "traveling abroad." Sixteen pandas returned to China this year. As 2023 draws to an end, let's take a look at their "boarding passes" and learn more about these adorable bears' current status as ambassadors of friendship.

Xiang Xiang

The first panda to return to China in 2023 was six-year-old Xiang Xiang. Xiang Xiang was born in June 2017 at the Ueno Zoo in Japan. She was born to parents Bi Li and Xian Nv, who were on loan to Japan from China. Xiang Xiang gained significant popularity among the Japanese people and was greatly loved by the citizens. On February 21, Xiang Xiang embarked on a journey from Tokyo, Japan, and landed at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in China. Due to Xiang Xiang's sensitive and shy nature, she spent time at the panda base adapting to the environment after returning to China. It wasn't until November that she officially met the public.

Yong Ming, Ying Bin and Tao Bin

A day after Xiang Xiang departed for China, three more pandas flew from Japan to China. This trio was a panda family residing at the Adventure World Zoo in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The family comprises the father, Yong Ming, and his daughters, Ying Bin and Tao Bin. Yong Ming, aged 31, moved to Japan at two years old and lived there for 29 years. Yong Ming fathered 16 cubs with his two former mates throughout those years. Ying Bin and Tao Bin are the twins. All three pandas are currently leading a healthy life at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.

Ya Ya

Undoubtedly, Ya Ya has been one of the most concerning pandas this year. At age three, Ya Ya was sent to the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, U.S., alongside her companion, Le Le. Unfortunately, Le Le passed away due to a heart condition, and Ya Ya suffered from a skin disease, becoming extremely emaciated. On April 26, Ya Ya returned to China from the United States, accompanied by Le Le's remains. Tearful fans bid farewell at the airport, shouting, "Le Le, remember to follow Ya Ya on the way home!" Upon returning to China, Ya Ya received specialized care and is recovering at the Beijing Zoo. She has yet to make a public debut. However, based on weekly videos released by the zoo, Ya Ya's health is gradually improving.

Yuan Meng

Famous for startling the First Lady of France as a cub, panda Yuan Meng returned to Sichuan Province from Saint-Aignan, France, on July 25. Born on August 4, 2017, at the Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, Yuan Meng was the first giant panda born in France. On December 4 of the same year, French First Lady Brigitte Macron held a naming ceremony for the then four-month-old panda. She also bid farewell to Yuan Meng at the airport when he departed from France. Yuan Meng has formed a close friendship with two male pandas, Dan Hong Gao and Re Gan Mian, at the panda base and getting on well.

Yi Yi and Sheng Yi

Yi Yi and Sheng Yi were born in the National Zoo of Malaysia in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Their parents are Fu Wa and Feng Yi. On August 29, these two sisters departed from Kuala Lumpur and returned to their hometown in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Fan Xing

Born in 2020, Fan Xing is the first giant panda born in the Netherlands. His parents are Xing Ya and Wu Wen. The panda's name is derived from the Chinese name of renowned Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and one of his famous masterpieces, "Starry Night." "Fan Xing" is a combination of the pinyin for the first characters of Vincent van Gogh (Fan Gao) and the Chinese title of the painting "Starry Night" (Xing Ye). On September 28, the three-year-old bear boarded a flight from Rhenen in the Netherlands to Chengdu City in China's Sichuan Province. Fan Xing has yet to make a public appearance since returning home.

Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji

The seventh batch of giant pandas to return to China this year was the highly anticipated family of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their offspring, Xiao Qi Ji. Aged 26, Tian Tian and 25-year-old Mei Xiang flew back to Sichuan from Washington D.C. in the United States with their three-year-old son, Xiao Qi Ji. They arrived in China on November 9. Xiao Qi Ji was born on August 21, 2020, at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. He officially made his public debut to Chinese visitors on December 26 at the Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan Province.

Yang Guang and Tian Tian

Yang Guang and Tian Tian have resided at Edinburgh Zoo since 2011 as the only pair of giant pandas in the United Kingdom, earning widespread adoration from the public. On December 4, the two bears began their journey back to China from Edinburgh Zoo. Although the two pandas had entered quarantine a few days before departure, numerous people still visited Edinburgh Zoo to bid them farewell. The two pandas safely arrived at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on the morning of December 5. They are currently undergoing a one-month quarantine at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Meng Yuan and Meng Xiang

The pandas Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan are the final batch to return to China in 2023. In June 2017, female giant panda Meng Meng and male giant panda Jiao Qing arrived at the Berlin Zoo from Chengdu City, beginning their 15-year stay. On August 31, 2019, Meng Meng gave birth to twins Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan. The birth of the panda cubs in Berlin sparked "Pandafieber" or "Panda Fever" throughout Germany. The couple began their journey from Berlin on December 17 and have safely arrived in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

(All images designed by CGTN's Yin Yating.)