Giant panda Xiao Xiao is pictured at the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan. 28, 2026. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)

CHENGDU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. Their elder sister, celebrity giant panda Xiang Xiang, returned to China in February 2023. ■

A staff member of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda examines giant panda Xiao Xiao in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan. 28, 2026.

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)

Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive at the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan. 28, 2026.

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)

Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive at the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan. 28, 2026.

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)

Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei arrive at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 28, 2026.

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)

Giant panda Lei Lei is pictured at the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Jan. 28, 2026.

The final two giant pandas in Japan returned to China from a zoo in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, marking the end of over five decades of panda presence in Japan.

The pair, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, arrived at Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1 a.m., before they were sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will be quarantined.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their mother Shin Shin and her mate, Ri Ri, which were returned to China in September 2024. (China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda/Handout via Xinhua)