Malaysia welcomed a pair of giant pandas from China on Wednesday, marking the 40th anniversary of formal bilateral ties being established. An earlier report from Malaysian newspaper The Star said Fu Wa and Feng Yi, which mean Lucky and Phoenix in Chinese, will be renamed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
As one of China's most potent diplomatic tools, these cuddly-looking animals have travelled far and wide. Here's a look at some of these jet-setting pandas.
Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan
This pair of pandas arrived in Taiwan in 2008, shortly after the election of President Ma Ying-jeou who was perceived as more Beijing-friendly. The names of the pandas, which together mean reunion in Chinese (or tuan yuan), were chosen by a vote in China.
Yuan Yuan gave birth to a baby cub named Yuan Zai, meaning Yuan Yuan's child, in 2013.
Kai Kai and Jia Jia
Stamps featuring giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia. The Giant Panda stamp issue was the best-selling one among all the stamps released in 2012. PHOTO: SINGAPORE PHILATELIC BUREAU
Currently on display at Singapore's River Safari in Mandai, this pair arrived here in 2012. The male Kai Kai, which means victorious in Chinese, has gained a reputation of being more outgoing because the female Jia Jia, which means excellent in Chinese, does not venture out into the open areas of the enclosure as often.
Gao Gao and Bai Yun
Bai Yun and her youngest cub Xiao Liwu during their public debut.
These giant pandas are the proud parents of six cubs: Hua Mei (1999), Mei Sheng (2003), Su Lin (2005), Zhen Zhen (2007), Yun Zi (2009), and Xiao Liwu (2012). Gao Gao, meaning tall or high, and Bai Yun, meaning white cloud, are considered the most prolific pandas in captivity. They live in the San Diego Zoo in the United States.
Ling Ling
There have been many pandas in Japan, with eight of them in zoos around the country today. But Ling Ling, which lived from 1985 to 2008, was the only giant panda owned by Japan as it was not on loan but a gift from China. Sadly, the panda, whose name meant "little darling girl" despite being male, never fathered any offspring. Perhaps it was confused by his name.
