Chinese ambassador attends 2nd birthday celebration of Chinese panda twins born in S. Korea

July 7 marked the second birthday of Rui Bao and Hui Bao, the adorable twin cubs of China's beloved pandas Ai Bao and Le Bao, who currently reside in South Korea.

Their home at the Everland theme park threw a special birthday party for the twins.  Panda enthusiasts from across South Korea gathered to join the celebration, CCTV News reported on Monday.

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing also visited the park on Monday, celebrating the second birthday of the pair of twin giant pandas together with park representatives and citizens of both China and South Korea, said the Chinese Embassy in South Korea via its official WeChat account. 

Dai expressed gratitude to the park and its caretakers for their attentive care of the giant panda family residing in South Korea. The panda family carries the heartfelt blessings of the Chinese people toward the people of South Korea, has garnered widespread affection among the South Korean public, and has become the most endearing ambassador promoting China-South Korea friendship, Dai said.

The ambassador mentioned that Fu Bao, the beloved first giant panda born in South Korea and who returned to China in 2024, is now living the good life in her homeland. He noted that China has implemented a visa-free entry policy for South Korean nationals, extending a warm invitation for more South Korean friends to visit China and see Fu Bao. 

Dai also expressed the hope that through people's interest in and affection for pandas, they would naturally develop a greater interest in and fondness for China.  

The party was their last with their mother before they begin life on their own as they transition into adulthood, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

The twin sisters enjoyed a lavish birthday party on Monday morning at the amusement park's Panda World, featuring a bamboo and flower cake one meter wide, cooled rocks, and bamboo toys. Zookeepers and 40 fans of the Bao family joined in the festivities, singing birthday songs and sharing messages of support, according to the report.

Their caretaker, Kang Cheol-won, who was affectionately given the nickname "Panda Grandpa" by panda fans, delivered birthday wishes in Putonghua, China News Service reported.

Wu, a fan of Rui Bao and Hui Bao from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, flew to South Korea specifically to celebrate the duo's birthday. She told the Global Times on Monday that many fans had also made the trip to Everland for the celebration. "People were already lining up long before the park opened, and we waited for over two hours to get in," she said.

Wu said the park had crafted exclusive commemorative badges featuring the cubs' names and portraits, while its café launched limited-edition themed set menus.

She noted that the park regularly organizes a range of events to celebrate the pandas' birthdays. "Their sincere dedication in caring for our national treasures is palpable," she said.

Panda pair Le Bao and Ai Bao arrived in South Korea on March 3, 2016, beginning their stay at Everland.

Their first cub, Fu Bao, was born on July 20, 2020. On July 7, 2023, the couple welcomed twin daughters Rui Bao and Hui Bao - the first-ever giant panda twins born in South Korea.