China
09:46, 25-Jun-2017
Panda mania hits Germany as China's cuddly envoys arrive
[]
Share
Copied
Two giant pandas from China landed safely in Berlin where they received a warm welcome by many, including the German capital's mayor and the Chinese ambassador.
Meng Meng and Jiao Qing were received like royalty on their 12-hour flight from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Their entourage included a Berlin veterinarian, who went to Sichuan for tips of caring the giant panda, two Chinese zookeepers and traveling press.
The German capital is going nuts over the impossibly cute bears, who will be presented to the public at Berlin Zoo on July 6.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also expected to visit the new animal stars ahead of the Group of 20 summit in Germany in early July.
Jiao Qing, which means "darling," is a seven-year-old male and weighs 108 kilograms (238 pounds).
Female Meng Meng, which translates as "sweet dream," is three years old and weighs 77 kilograms (169 pounds).