On July 5, 2017 local time, President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany attended the opening ceremony of Panda Garden at the Berlin Zoo.

Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan arrived at the Berlin Zoo where they were warmly welcomed by Angela Merkel. Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan, together with Angela Merkel, headed for the Panda Garden. On the way, melodious Chinese folk music echoed in the air and red lanterns were highly hung. Walking through pavilions with Chinese characteristics, the leaders of the two countries talked about the history of friendly exchanges between Chinese and German people.

After arriving at the Panda Garden, Xi Jinping and Angela Merkel both delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.

Xi Jinping noted that today I am very pleased to see the debut of giant pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing from Sichuan of China in front of the German public and their beautiful new home. Undoubtedly, it is of great significance to resume China-Germany cooperation in the giant panda protection and research on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Amity between people holds the key to the sound relations between states. It is hope that Meng Meng and Jiao Qing could narrow the gap between China and Germany, serving as new ambassador of friendship between the two peoples. Xi Jinping extended his heartfelt thanks to the Chinese and German experts and staff for their diligent work on panda cooperation and wished that the friendship between the people of China and Germany will continue to yield new fruits.

Angela Merkel expressed that the history of exchanges between Germany and China has witnessed the important role of giant pandas in promoting the friendship between the two peoples. The German people have been looking forward to the arrival of Meng Meng and Jiao Qing for a long time, and have made great efforts to provide a comfortable new home for them. The arrival of the two special ambassadors, Meng Meng and Jiao Qing, is a convincing evidence of new development of the friendship between Germany and China. Germany is ready to take it as an opportunity to deepen Germany-China people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan went to the inner room of the panda house with Chancellor Angela Merkel. As the sun blind on the glass walls was slowly rolled up, Meng Meng and Jiao Qing officially made their debut to the public. People who have been waiting for a long time burst into cheers at the sight of the two adorable pandas - the national treasure of China. To the sound of the gongs, the outer door of the panda house was opened. Meng Meng and Jiao Qing are enjoying a happy and contented life in Berlin.

President Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan had warm talks with children present and gave them stuffed toy pandas as gifts. Local children also presented Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan with their hand-made panda woodcuts.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the above activities.