China gifts two giant pandas to Qatar ahead of World Cup

AL KHOR, Qatar – Jing Jing and Si Hai, a pair of giant pandas from China, have arrived at their new home in Qatar to mark the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November.

Four-year-old Jing Jing and 3-year-old Si Hai will be renamed Suhail and Thuraya, respectively. According to The Associated Press, they will live in an indoor, climate-controlled enclosure designed to simulate China’s mountainous Sichuan province. Almost 1,800 pounds of bamboo will be flown in each week to feed them.

The AP reported that the pandas would be in quarantine for at least 21 days before visitors could see them.

While China did not qualify for the World Cup, many Chinese companies have been involved with preparations for the monthlong tournament, according to AFP.

“This is a gift presented by the 1.4 billion Chinese people for the Qatar World Cup, and will surely become a new symbol of China-Qatar friendship,” the envoy said, according to AFP.

Qatar expects as many as 1.2 million visitors for the World Cup beginning on Nov. 20. It’s the first Muslim or Arab country to host the sporting event.