The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC welcomed Bao Li and Qing Bao, two giant pandas from China, as the ‘panda diplomacy’ between both countries resumes.

The zoo’s panda exhibit had been empty for 11 months since the last pandas were sent back to China.

The pandas will be at the Smithsonian National Zoo as part of a new 10-year agreement. They will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days to accommodate their transition into their new environment.