The Pandas Are Back!

The diplomatic tradition between the United States and China began with former First Lady Pat Nixon.

One of the newly arrived giant pandas eats bamboo at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. The pandas will make their public debut on Jan. 24. (Photo courtesy of the National Zoo)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was among the first to welcome two new panda bears to the National Zoo Tuesday morning after they safely arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia from China.

“They’re here!” Biden posted on social media about the arrival of giant pandas Qing Bao and Bao Li. “We are so excited for everyone to once again enjoy the adventures of giant pandas at our National Zoo.”

The first lady was campaigning for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania upon their arrival.

Bystanders along the route cheered as the pandas were transported in two FedEx trucks to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. They began their journey early in the morning in China aboard a dedicated “FedEx Panda …