PETALING JAYA: Zoo Negara’s Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC) will soon welcome visitors and panda enthusiasts once again after the new pair of giant pandas from China completed their quarantine, says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic).
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said he made a working visit to the GPCC at Zoo Negara to personally inspect the upgraded facilities and to see the new pair of giant pandas, Chen Xing (male) and Xiao Yue (female), which arrived from China on Nov 18, 2025.
“The giant panda pair has completed its quarantine period. In view of this, the Chinese authorities have agreed to allow the GPCC to be opened to the public.
“I will announce the opening date of the GPCC soon,” he said.
Chen Xing and Xiao Yue arrived in Malaysia as part of the ongoing panda cooperation programme between Malaysia and China.
Upon arrival, the five-year-old pandas were placed under a mandatory one-month quarantine at Zoo Negara, in line with standard operating procedures.
During the visit, Kurup said he was satisfied with the improvements made to the GPCC facilities to enhance the welfare of the giant pandas and the comfort of visitors.
“These upgrades include enhancements to the main exhibit, interior design, landscaping and the replacement of chillers, which were carried out using allocations provided by the ministry,” he said.
Kurup also received briefings from veterinarians from China and Zoo Negara on the giant panda pair, which they said were healthy.
“During the visit, Chen Xing and Xiao Yue displayed normal and active behaviour, indicating a good level of adaptation.
“Chen Xing and Xiao Yue serve as icons of the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
To date, China has undertaken international cooperation in giant panda conservation and research with 20 countries, including Malaysia.
The agreement, signed between the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) Peninsular Malaysia and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), enables Malaysia to receive a new pair of giant pandas for 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim, Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, as well as representatives of the Malaysian Zoological Society, which manages Zoo Negara.
Kurup said the government’s commitment through the ministry was in line with the sustainability principles under the Malaysia Madani framework, aimed at strengthening the conservation of endangered species through international diplomacy.
