Giant panda Xiang Xiang returns to China(1/12)

The Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. Female giant panda Xiang Xiang on Tuesday morning left Ueno Zoo in Tokyo of Japan to fly back to China, her home country.

Xiang Xiang was born at Ueno Zoo in June 2017 to Shin Shin (female) and Ri Ri (male), two giant pandas on loan from China, where the ownership over the cubs they give birth to belongs.

Now five years and eight months old, the panda has reached her breeding maturity.

"Considering the future of Xiang Xiang and the giant pandas as a species, it would be amazing if it found a good mate and breed in China," Yutaka Fukuda, director of Ueno Zoo, told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

The Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

The Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A veterinarian examines the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A staff member disinfects a vehicle loaded with the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Customs officers supervise the unloading of the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A staff member and a veterinarian (2nd R) examine the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

The Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

The Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)