Two giant pandas from China welcomed to US as part of new phase in ‘panda diplomacy’

San Diego Zoo is welcoming two new giant pandas from China as part of a new phase in 'panda diplomacy' between the countries.

Transcript

00:00It's the beginning of a new era in panda diplomacy.

00:05The San Diego Zoo's newest giant pandas are on their way from China, marking the first

00:09time Beijing loaned pandas to the U.S. in two decades.

00:14Chinese state media reports the two pandas left China Wednesday night for a chartered

00:18flight to their new home in California.

00:21Zoo officials say the pandas won't be viewable to the public for a few weeks as they get

00:26used to their new surroundings.

00:28The panda loan marks a step forward for relations between the U.S. and China as they try to

00:34repair ties strained by disputes over trade, technology, the status of Taiwan and other

00:41issues between the world's two largest economies.