Panda cub Bei Bei turns one in DC’s National Zoo

Pandas

Frances Kuo

Frances Kuo

Panda BirthdayMei Xiang, mother of giant pande cub Bei Bei, eats Bei Bei’s birthday cake at the National Zoo in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, during a celebration of Bei Bei’s first birthday. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)
Published August 21, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Updated September 4, 2017 at 1:51 PM

Panda cub Bei Bei marks his first birthday.

CCTV’s Frances Kuo was at the zoo for the big event that came with a few surprises.

When Bei Bei was born he weighed 113 grams and was about the size of a stick of butter.

It wasn’t just a celebration for Bei Bei. This month, his older sister, Bao Bao, turns three while their father, Tian Tian, turns 19.

But missing was his twin who died four days before birth. It was only the third time twin giant panda cubs have been born in the United States.

Chinese Ambassador to U.S. Cui Tiankai said Bei Bei is a strong symbol of friendship between the United States and China.