On December 6, the twin female giant pandas born to “Meng Meng,” a resident panda at the Berlin Zoo, were officially named “Meng Hao” and “Meng Tian”, meaning Good Dream and Sweet Dream respectively.
On the same day, a naming ceremony was held at the Berlin Zoo to mark the 100th day of the panda twins’ birth. The event was attended by more than 50 people, including Chinese Ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo, Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner, Berlin Zoo Director Andreas Knieriem, and members of the media.
Ambassador Deng Hongbo highlighted that seven years ago, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Germany, he attended the opening ceremony of the panda house at the Berlin Zoo, marking the beginning of Sino-German cooperation in panda conservation and research as well as cultural exchange. Over the past seven years, the giant pandas have settled and thrived in Berlin, gaining widespread affection from the German public. They have become shining stars in Berlin and a beautiful symbol of Sino-German friendship. Deng expressed his sincere blessings and wishes for the continued success of the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that the panda collaboration represents a vivid example of the mutual affection and understanding between the people of China and Germany. He hopes the two countries will continue working together to create a peaceful and prosperous future.
Andreas Knieriem, the director of Berlin Zoo, shared updates on the growth and fun stories of the pandas, thanking China for its long-term support. Mayor Kai Wegner said that giant pandas symbolize Berlin’s cultural diversity. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the friendship between Berlin and Beijing, and he expressed gratitude to China for allowing Berlin to showcase pandas, highlighting the special friendly relationship between the two nations.
Berlin Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Franziska Satter, told reporters that the twin pandas have distinct personalities. “Meng Hao” is bolder and less easily frightened, while “Meng Tian” is sometimes more cautious and shy. However, both pandas are very close to their mother and are extremely curious, exploring their surroundings.
According to the agreement between both sides, China and Germany each proposed names for the panda twins, with Ambassador Deng Hongbo and Mayor Wegner serving as honorary guardians. On the same day, the China Cultural Center in Berlin hosted a panda-themed cultural experience event, which attracted many visitors.
“Meng Meng” and the male panda “Jiao Qing” arrived at the Berlin Zoo from Chengdu, China, in June 2017 for a 15-year residency. On August 31, 2019, “Meng Meng” gave birth to a pair of male twins named “Meng Xiang” and “Meng Yuan,” marking the first panda birth in Germany. The twin brothers returned to China in December 2023. On August 22 of this year, “Meng Meng” gave birth to her second set of twins at the Berlin Zoo.