China sends two giant pandas to US after Trump-Xi summit

China sent two giant pandas to the United States on Sept 27, state media said, after a Washington summit that was heavy on symbolism and light on major breakthroughs.



The pandas' transfer had already been agreed, but the departure was announced on Sept 24 during Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Washington.



The black and white mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a "panda diplomacy" programme to foster foreign ties.



Ping Ping and Fu Shuang left Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a chartered plane at around 3am on Sept 27, state news agency Xinhua reported.



Steamed corn buns, bamboo shoots and carrots have been prepared to keep the pandas nourished during their 15-hour flight, Chinese state-run media the Global Times reported.



The pandas are headed to a zoo in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will be spending the next 10 years.