China Offers Giant Pandas and 100,000 Student Visas to US

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on September 24, 2026 (US time) at the White House that China will gift two giant pandas and offer visas for 100,000 American students to study in China. This initiative aims to strengthen the friendship between the peoples of both nations and foster future relations. The two giant pandas, named Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will soon arrive at their new home in Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta had not housed giant pandas since the expiration of its previous agreement with China in 2024. The panda diplomacy program, which began in 1957, has seen its validity extended over time, allowing these pandas to reside in the United States, according to the US Congress. In addition to the panda gift, President Xi announced the invitation for 100,000 young American students to study in China over the next five years. He emphasized that this effort is aimed at simultaneously restoring China's prosperity and revitalizing America, stating that the hope and future of China-US relations lie with the people and youth of both countries. This announcement came as President Xi and President Trump began the second day of the Chinese leader's significant and carefully orchestrated state visit to Washington.