Australian PM visits panda Fu Ni in Chengdu, calling her part of ‘long-standing friendship’ between two countries

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited giant panda Fu Ni in Chengdu on Thursday, who returned to China from Australia last year. Albanese wrote on social media that the "cute" panda is part of a "long-standing friendship between Australia and China."

"Fu Ni has settled back into life in Chengdu after 15 years in Adelaide. She's not just cute - she's part of a long-standing friendship between Australia and China. That friendship continues, with pandas Yi Lan and Xing Qiu now calling South Australia home," Albanese posted on X on Thursday.

Last year, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, Australia's only giant pandas left the country for China after 15 years.

They were replaced at the Adelaide Zoo by female giant panda Yi Lan and male Xing Qiu, both from Chengdu, China, Xinhua News Agency reported.

"Seeing these cute ambassadors up close is a reminder of the bonds that bring our countries closer," Albanese posted.

Albanese is paying an official visit to China from July 12 to 18, traveling to Shanghai and Beijing, with Chengdu marking the final leg of his trip. 

On Wednesday, Albanese visited Sichuan International Tennis Center in Chengdu, where the Australian side announced that the city will once again host the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoffs for the 2026 Australian Open.

"Sport brings people from our two countries closer, and that's a good thing," Albanese said on X on Wednesday.