The China Wildlife Conservation Association said on Wednesday that giant pandas Jin Xi and Zhu Yu will embark on a journey to Spain on April 29 from Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. They will start their 10-year residency at a zoo in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

The pandas are in good health and undergoing quarantine procedures, according to the association.

The couple were bred in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Jin Xi, the male, was born on September 1, 2020, while the female, Zhu Yu, was born on October 25, 2020.

The base has prepared special air transport cages to ensure the giant pandas can move, feed and rest freely, while a sufficient amount of fresh Sichuan bamboo shoots will be available for them to eat on the journey

Another pair of pandas returned to Sichuan nearly two months ago after living in Spain for more than a decade.

China and Spain have been collaborating for several years to promote giant panda protection, with six cubs successfully born and bred thanks to these joint efforts. Various cultural activities have also been held to raise giant panda awareness, including China Giant Panda International Culture Week.

(Cover: Jin Xi in the park.)