HONG KONG — A pair of giant pandas arrived in Qatar on Wednesday as a gift ahead of the World Cup, marking the first time China has extended its “panda diplomacy” to the Middle East.
Si Hai, a 3-year-old female weighing about 150 pounds, will be given the Arabic name Thuraya, while Jing Jing, a 4-year-old male weighing 265 pounds, will be known in Arabic as Suhail.
The pandas will be available for public viewing by the time Qatar hosts the World Cup starting Nov. 20.
A child viewing one of two giant pandas gifted from China in Al Khor, Qatar, on Wednesday.
Denour / AFP - Getty ImagesGiant pandas, a vulnerable species that seldom reproduces in the wild, are considered a national treasure and symbol of China.