Historic deal with China brings giant pandas to UK

Two giant pandas are to be brought to the UK under a historic agreement with China.

The breeding pair, described as a gift from China, will be the first giant pandas to reside in the UK for 17 years. The animals will be housed at Edinburgh Zoo under the custodianship of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Bosses at the zoo hailed the agreement as a "landmark day" for the visitor attraction. Edinburgh Zoo first announced it was in negotiations to bring a pair of giant pandas from China to Scotland in 2008.

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Zoo chiefs revealed in May that year that they had signed a letter of intent in China, signifying an initial commitment to bring giant pandas to the zoo. The agreement between the UK and Chinese governments was signed in London yesterday.