Danes rush to see pandas on loan from China

Published April 11, 2019

The panda Xing Er in the new enclosure in Copenhagen Zoo, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Denmark's Queen Margrethe opened a newly built, 160-million kroner ($24.2-million) enclosure at Copenhagen’s zoo for two freshly arrived occupants: a pair of black-and-white bears on loan from China as the Scandinavian nation becomes part of Beijing's so-called "panda diplomacy." (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

The panda Mao Sun in the new enclosure in Copenhagen Zoo, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Denmark's Queen Margrethe opened a newly built, 160-million kroner ($24.2-million) enclosure at Copenhagen’s zoo for two freshly arrived occupants: a pair of black-and-white bears on loan from China as the Scandinavian nation becomes part of Beijing's so-called "panda diplomacy." (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Thousands are queuing at Copenhagen Zoo to see two giant black-and-white bears on loan from China under Beijing's popular "panda diplomacy" initiative.

Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary untied a red velvet ribbon to open the gates Thursday in her capacity as the zoo's patron. She was assisted by her twins, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent.

The opening came a day after Mary's mother-in-law Queen Margrethe inaugurated the Panda House that's been built for 6-year-old male Xing Er, and Mao Sun, a 5-year-old female.

The bears arrived last week in cargo containers and were driven to the zoo's new 160-million kroner ($24.2 million) yin-yang shaped enclosure.

Beijing has lent out pandas as a sign of goodwill. Any cubs born during the 15-year loan period are considered China's.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/danes-rush-to-see-pandas-on-loan-from-china