“I know families have enjoyed coming to see the pandas at Adelaide Zoo just like my family has,“ said Farrell in the media release. He hoped to see a spike in visitors coming to see “such majestic creatures“ up close.

　　This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia, which has a very special significance, Li Dong, Chinese consul-general in Adelaide, said at the press conference welcoming the giant pandas on Sunday.

　　The Chinese diplomat said the new round of giant panda cooperation will last for 10 years, during which he looked forward to a better prospect for cooperation in various fields between China and Australia.

　　“I hope everyone will become good friends with Xingqiu and Yilan, and work together to protect the cooperation and exchanges between China and Australia, and between China and South Australia,“ Li said.

　　This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a plane carrying giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan landing at Adelaide Airport in Adelaide, Australia, Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo by Lyu Wei/Xinhua)

　　Close said that many South Australians are thrilled to have an ongoing panda presence at Adelaide Zoo.

　　She told reporters at the press conference on Sunday that the arrival of the pandas is an example of the renewed strength of friendship between Australia and China.

　　The arrival of the pandas came days after China Southern Airlines returned to SA with the resumption of its direct round-trip services between Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, and Adelaide for the first time since 2020.