According to the Associated Press, on October 30, U.S. President Joe Biden, who is set to leave office in January, hosted his final White House Halloween “Trick or Treat” event on the South Lawn. His wife, Jill Biden, appeared dressed as a giant panda. The White House stated that Jill Biden’s costume was chosen to welcome two Chinese giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived in Washington in mid-October.
Back in May, when the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., announced the return of giant pandas from China, Jill Biden appeared in a promotional video expressing her excitement about the zoo’s new “guests.”
In November 2023, giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji, who was born and raised at the National Zoo, returned to China. The news of the pandas’ return nearly a year later has thrilled Washington residents, panda enthusiasts, local panda-themed merchandise sellers, and zoo officials.
According to a report on the WeChat account of the China Wildlife Conservation Association on October 14, pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao from China’s Giant Panda Research and Conservation Center embarked on their journey to the National Zoo on October 14. Their visit is part of a 10-year cooperative agreement between China’s wildlife conservation authority and the National Zoo, extending their 20-year partnership in panda conservation.
As of October 31, Bao Li and Qing Bao are in their second week of quarantine and have begun exploring their outdoor enclosure. The China Wildlife Conservation Association shared that the National Zoo upgraded the pandas’ outdoor space with multi-level climbing structures and cooling facilities, providing more opportunities for interaction with their environment. New rock structures and barriers were added to ensure the safety and well-being of both the pandas and visitors.
On the evening of October 30, President Biden and Jill Biden, dressed in a panda costume, made an appearance, with President Biden handing out candy while Jill Biden distributed books. A White House press release noted that, as an educator of 40 years, Jill Biden themed this year’s Halloween event “Hallo-Read,” encouraging children to embrace reading.
The Associated Press also reported that the White House was expecting up to 8,000 visitors during the day on October 31, including students and children with connections to the U.S. military.
In July, Biden announced that he would not run for re-election, making this his last time hosting a White House Halloween celebration as president.
