KUALA LUMPUR: Around 40 panda lovers gathered at Zoo Negara in the early hours of Sunday (May 18) morning to bid a heartfelt farewell to Fu Wa (Xing Xing) and Feng Yi (Liang Liang), who are returning to China after spending 11 years in Malaysia.

Despite the lack of an official farewell ceremony, devoted fans – some travelling from as far as Seremban, as well as from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor – arrived as early as 5am. With heavy hearts, they waited quietly for the pandas' departure to KLIA, where the pair would begin their journey back to their homeland.

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At about 7.15am, the vehicles carrying Fu Wa and Feng Yi rolled out of Zoo Negara. Emotions ran high as fans waved, live streamed the moment, and captured photos and videos. Many were heard calling out, “Goodbye Fu Wa and Feng Yi!”

Their journey began as part of China’s panda loan programme, a goodwill gesture to countries with strong diplomatic ties. The pair arrived at Zoo Negara to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations. Once settled in, they received new names: Fu Wa became Xing Xing, meaning 'prosperity', while Feng Yi was renamed Liang Liang, meaning 'pretty'.

Zoo Negara Deputy President Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said panda caretaker Mohd Saiffullah Md Yusuf would accompany the pandas to China and stay for a few days to help them settle in.

“The pandas are in good health. We’ve always supported the panda conservation programme. I truly appreciate the fans who came. Even though it’s not an official farewell, their presence shows how much they care," he said.

One of the fans, Chin Lee Peng, 56, arrived at Zoo Negara at 5am with seven friends. After seeing the pandas off, she planned to head to a location near the airport to catch a glimpse of their plane taking off.

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Ever since she heard the pandas would be leaving and undergoing a one-month quarantine, she had been visiting the zoo every weekend to say her final goodbyes.

“My emotions have calmed down a bit now, but of course I still feel sad.

“China is their home and where they belong, so I just hope they live out the rest of their lives in good health and happiness,” she added.

Chin also shared her hopes that another panda pair would be sent to Malaysia in the future. In the meantime, she has already made plans to visit the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong next week, to see Sheng Yi – Malaysia’s third panda cub – who turns four on May 31.

Another panda enthusiast, Lily Atikah, 27, said she arrived at the zoo at 5.30am. Like many others, her heart was filled with sorrow over the pandas' departure.

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“I really hope Malaysia will receive another panda pair,” she said. “This programme is a beautiful example of conservation cooperation between Malaysia and China.

"Of course, going to China to see them would depend on my finances, but if we have pandas here in Zoo Negara, we can visit anytime. I’m definitely looking forward to welcoming new ones,” she added.

During their time in Malaysia, Fu Wa and Feng Yi started a family, producing three cubs: Nuan Nuan, born on Aug 18, 2015; Yi Yi, on Jan 14, 2018; and Sheng Yi, on May 31, 2021. Interestingly, May 31 is also the anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) announced that the new agreement was signed on April 16 during the Chinese President's state visit to Malaysia.

The collaboration allows Malaysia to host another pair of giant pandas from 2025 to 2035, continuing the longstanding International Cooperation Project on Giant Panda Conservation with China.

However, Malaysia is preparing to receive a new pair of giant pandas in August 2025, following the departure of the current pair, Fu Wa and Feng Yi.

This is part of a new 10-year agreement between Malaysia and China for the International Cooperation Project on Giant Panda Conservation.