Mei Xiang, a giant panda living in the United States, set off for home.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Washington, November 8 (Reporter Xu Yuan, Deng Xianlai) Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, giant pandas living in the United States, and Little Miracle, their male cubs born and raised in Washington, left for China on November 8.

　　On the morning of the same day, the staff of the Smithsonian Institution National Zoo in Washington transported three special "travel boxes" with giant pandas, 220 pounds (about 100 kilograms) of bamboo, drinking water and related materials to the truck. Subsequently, the motorcade carrying Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Miracle left the zoo for Dulles International Airport in Washington.

　　Xu Xueyuan, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, said at a brief ceremony held at the zoo that since Mei Xiang and Tian Tian came to the Smithsonian National Zoo in 2000, China and the United States have carried out close and fruitful cooperation in the protection and research of giant pandas, which has effectively promoted mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. In the future, China will continue to cooperate closely with its partners, including the United States, in the protection and research of endangered species and the protection of biodiversity, and make greater contributions to sustainable development and friendship among peoples.

　　Brandi Smith, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo and Biological Protection Institute, said that this is a historic moment that is both difficult and joyful. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been the "stars" of zoos since they came to the United States, and they have become the "idols" of the whole country. Smith later said at the ceremony held at the airport that the US-China research cooperation on giant panda protection has lasted for more than 50 years, which is the longest cooperation on the protection of a single species in the world. "Our partnership with China is extraordinary."

　　At about 13 o’clock local time, the special plane of "Meixiang" took off. According to the personnel of FedEx, the plane will stop in Anchorage, USA, and then go to Chengdu, China, with a journey of about 19 hours. A veterinarian and two breeders accompanied him all the way.

　　Mei Xiang and Tian Tian gave birth to four cubs in the United States for 23 years, among which Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Beibei have returned to China. "Little Miracle" was born on August 21st, 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic swept the world. The birth of "Little Miracle" brought joy and hope to the local people. After the Meixiang family returned to China, there were two giant panda sisters, Yalun and Xilun, at Atlanta Zoo in the United States. (Participating in reporters: Hu Yousong, Liu Jie)