Gold medalist in 10-metre synchronised diving at the Tokyo OlympicsChina's Zhang Jiaqi and French footballer Kylian Mbappe (R) pose with the two panda twins born last August 2 during a ceremony to reveal their final Chinese names at The Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France on November 18, 2021. Kylian Mbappe and China's Zhang Jiaqi are the godparents of the panda cubs, named Yuan Dudu and Huan Lili. [Photo/Agencies]
Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zhang Jiaqi and French football star Kylian Mbappe revealed on Thursday the names of the newborn giant panda cubs at Beauval Zoo in central France.
More than 120,000 French netizens have cast their vote to choose Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu from five pairs of names for the twin cubs, zoo officials said, adding that the two names represent the friendship between France and China as well as the wish for good health to the cubs.
Baby panda Yuan Dudu (Petite neige) is seen during a naming ceremony of newborn twin baby pandas at the Beauval Zoo, in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, November 18, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
The twin cubs were born to mother Huan Huan and father Yuan Zai in August. The parents arrived in France in 2012.
"In about two months, another panda, one of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games mascots, Bing Dwen Dwen, will draw the world's attention in my hometown Beijing. I also look forward to meeting athletes from around the world in Paris in 2024," Zhang told journalists.
Mbappe said that it was a memorable moment to participate in such an event with an Olympic champion. He felt proud and honored.
Baby panda Huan Lili (Fleur de Coton) is seen during a naming ceremony of newborn twin baby pandas at the Beauval Zoo, in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, November 18, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
Yu Jinsong, Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to France, said that Huan Huan and Yuan Zai have been expanding their family since arrival, thanks to the joint efforts of Beauval Zoo and China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. They are symbols of Sino-French friendship.
In 2017, Huan Huan gave birth to twin cubs, the first panda babies born in France. The first cub died shortly after its birth and the second one was named Yuan Meng.
The newborn twin baby pandas are seen during a naming ceremony at the Beauval Zoo, in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, November 18, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
Animal keepers pose with newborn twin baby pandas before a naming ceremony at the Beauval Zoo, in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, November 18, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
Zhang Jiaqi (R) and Kylian Mbappe (L) pose with the two panda twins at The Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France on November 18, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
A picture taken on November 18, 2021 shows panda Yuan Zi, the father of the two panda twins. [Photo/Agencies]
In this file photograph taken on Sept 30, 2021, French caretaker Sherine Feillet (L) and Chinese caretaker Lyu Riuquing hold the two panda cub twins at The Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France. [Photo/Agencies]
