Berlin gives celebrity welcome to two giant pandas from China

Two giant pandas – Meng Meng and Jiao Qing – received a celebrity welcome on Saturday in Berlin from the German capital’s mayor and the Chinese ambassador after they safely weathered a long flight from China.

The pair flew the animal equivalent of first class, getting royal treatment on their 12-hour flight from Chengdu in southwestern China. Their entourage included a Berlin veterinarian, two Chinese zookeepers and a bunch of journalists.

“They slept a bit, munched on their bamboo and nibbled on some cookies,” veterinarian Andreas Ochs told reporters at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport shortly after the arrival. Medication for motion sickness was not needed. “They did just fine,” he said.

The German capital is going nuts over the bears, who will be presented to the public at Berlin Zoo on July 6. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also expected to visit the new animal stars ahead of the Group of 20 summit in Germany in early July.

“It was my personal wish to come and welcome our new residents,” Mayor Michael Mueller said. “We are delighted that Berlin has gained another fantastic attraction with these bears.”

Jiao Qing, which means “darling”, is a seven-year-old male and weighs 108kg. Female Meng Meng, which translates as “sweet dream”, is three years old and weighs 77kg.