'Panda swap' confirmed for Australian zoo as Chinese premier says relations 'back on track'

For 15 years, panda pair Wang Wang and Fu Ni have called Adelaide home, after being leased to the city's zoo from China. Today amid a historic visit, on which he said relations between the two nations were "back on track" Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced a panda swap. They'll go back to China and a new pair - who it is hoped will be more fertile - will replace them.

READ MORE: Man charged with murder months after death of Sydney surfer Wang Wang the Panda at Adelaide Zoo on June 16, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Getty images) "We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful lovely and adorable pandas to replace them," Li said, in a display of so-called "panda diplomacy". It was the announcement South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas had hoped for.

"Often with these visits you know exactly what's coming – we weren't today until the words actually came out of his mouth," he...

Miriah Davis.