China could send more pandas to US as ‘envoys of friendship’

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji has left the US for China (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has signalled that China will send new pandas to the United States, calling them “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples”.

“We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples,” Mr Xi said during a dinner speech with business leaders.