PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia’s beloved giant pandas, Fu Wa and Feng Yi, are set to return to China next month after a decade of bamboo-munching diplomacy at Zoo Negara.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) confirmed today that the pair will be repatriated under a new agreement between Malaysia and China — one that also paves the way for a fresh panda duo to call Kuala Lumpur home until 2035.
The deal was inked during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia earlier this week.
As part of their send-off prep, Fu Wa and Feng Yi began quarantine on April 18 at Zoo Negara’s Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC), where they’ll be closely monitored for health, trained to handle their travel crates, and generally prepped for their upcoming flight — no doubt in a cabin class befitting their diplomatic status.
During this period, visitors won’t be able to get up close with the duo, though they can still catch a glimpse of them from the GPCC’s learning centre during designated hours.
This isn’t the first panda farewell Malaysia has hosted. Fu Wa and Feng Yi’s three offspring — Nuan Nuan, Yi Yi, and Sheng Yi — have already made their way back to China in 2017 and 2023. Now it’s mum and dad’s turn to go.
To mark their departure, Zoo Negara is rolling out a string of farewell activities. Expect message boards, panda keeper sessions, documentary screenings, and creative contests in the form of writing and drawing competitions — all designed to give Malaysians one last chance to say goodbye to the cuddly pair.
Details of the events are available on Zoo Negara’s website and social media channels.
In the meantime, the GPCC will also be getting a facelift to welcome its new tenants, expected to arrive in August.
“The Giant Panda cooperation is a symbol of the strong friendship between Malaysia and China in promoting conservation diplomacy.
“It also reflects the values of Malaysia Madani – sustainability, compassion and cooperation – in striving for a more prosperous and environmentally responsible future,” said NRES, as reported by Bernama.
So if anyone ever wanted to see a panda before they pack their bags, now is the chance. — April 19, 2025