Giant panda cubs make New Year debut in Chengdu

Newly born giant panda cubs made their debut on Thursday, also the first day of 2026, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

The base, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, released a new video capturing heartwarming moments of the panda babies.

In the footage, the cubs are seen being gently held by their breeders and fed milk, while other clips show them adorably squirming on wooden structures and slowly climbing trees within the base.

China has made solid progress in giant Panda conservation. The population of captive giant pandas in China has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching a total of 808, according to data from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Moreover, to give audiences a closer look at the daily lives of the panda cubs, China Media Group (CMG), together with www.ipanda.com (iPanda), will launch New Year-themed livestreams featuring newly born panda babies on TV and the internet. The livestreams will focus on Xiao Huihui, a gray panda cub born in 2025, as well as other cubs, showcasing their growth and playful behavior in festive New Year settings.

During the broadcasts, breeders will share insights, and interesting stories about the cubs' development, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the early lives of these beloved creatures.

-Reuters