Giant panda Xian Nü Photo: IC

Giant pandas Bi Li and Xian Nü at Ueno Zoo in Japan will be returned to China earlier than planned, possibly as early as the end of September this year, to ensure better care and treatment for them following consultations between the two sides, according to the China Wildlife Conservation Association on Friday.

Both sides are actively preparing for the return of the two giant pandas. In recent years, the male giant panda Bi Li, born in August 2005, and female giant panda Xian Nü, born in July 2005, living in Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, have both shown symptoms of age-related diseases such as high blood pressure, said the association. 

Experts from China and Japan have maintained communication and conducted joint consultations, prescribing appropriate medications to treat the symptoms. The conditions of the two pandas have been effectively treated, and their appetites and daily activities are currently normal, the association noted. 

Bi Li and Xian Nü arrived in Japan in 2011, where they were warmly welcomed. In March 2011, the zoo announced that Bi Li's Japanese name was Ri Ri and Xian Nü's Japanese name was Shin Shin. 

On June 12, 2017, the giant panda Xiang Xiang was born to mother Xian Nü and father Bi Li. 

According to the China Wildlife Conservation Association in June, since the 1990s, China has been collaborating with several countries and regions on international cooperation for the protection of giant pandas. The cooperation includes breeding programs, disease research, and public education. 

China is currently engaged in giant panda conservation partnerships with 17 countries and regions, including the US, Austria and Singapore, the association said.

Global Times