Local people bid farewell to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang outside the Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18, 2025. Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country. Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country.

Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

As the vehicles arrived to transport Xing Xing and Liang Liang to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, many became emotional and frantically waved the giant pandas goodbye, with some capturing photos and videos to remember them by.

Among those gathered was Zoo Negara Deputy President Rosly Rahmat Ahmat Lana, who 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 program. I truly appreciate the fans who came...their presence shows how much they care," he told the media.

The iconic giant panda pair were loaned to the Malaysian government in 2014 for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. They played a key role as "ambassadors" to the country, strengthening the bilateral bonds through the many thousands of Malaysian visitors who came to see them and learned about the conservation efforts carried out by China through information available at the center where they were housed.

The giant panda pair were blessed with three cubs during their stay in Malaysia -- Nuan Nuan, born in 2015, Yi Yi, born in 2018, and Sheng Yi, born in 2021. All three were safely returned to China prior to their parents' return. ■

Staff transfer giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18, 2025.

Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country.

Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Local people bid farewell to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang outside the Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18, 2025.

Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country.

Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

A van carrying giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang leaves the Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18, 2025.

Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country.

Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

Staff transfer giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 18, 2025.

Malaysians bid a tearful farewell on Sunday to giant panda pair Xing Xing and Liang Liang, who will return to China after their 11-year stay in the Southeast Asian country.

Dozens of well-wishers and fans of the beloved panda pair gathered as early as 5 a.m. at the Giant Panda Conservation Center in Zoo Negara to see them off, with some travelling from other states to the national zoo located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)