Star attraction

Zoo visitor Tony Tyson, 69, said his grandson River, 3, expressed curiosity about animals that were native to China, so they headed straight to the panda enclosure to learn more.

"As soon as he (River) saw the panda, he said, 'Let's go have a look'," Tyson said, adding that he hoped the new pair of pandas would mate.

The giant pandas look set to attract more visitors like Tyson. Wang Wang and Fu Ni were a major draw for 15 years, boosting zoo visits by 150,000 people in their first year of arrival, according to the South Australian Tourism Commission.

The previous pandas drew more than 5 million people during their time in Adelaide — their presence also helped the South Australian economy reap between A$16.1 million ($10.4 million) and A$57.5 million in total gross output in 2010 alone, supporting 240 to 1,085 jobs during the same period, according to zoo authorities.

The new panda pair are expected to become a "highly popular addition to Adelaide Zoo … for many years to come", the commission cited South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas as saying. "This is yet another sign of our strengthening relationship with China," he said.

Li Dong, Chinese consul-general in Adelaide, said China values strengthening China-Australia relations and hopes to promote enduring friendship and people-to-people bonds with Australia's southern state.

"The new giant panda cooperation embodies the goodwill of the Chinese government and people, as well as their expectations for even more fruitful China-Australia relations," he said, adding that the pandas can be considered the "star attraction" of Adelaide Zoo, with many South Australians going there specifically to see the bears.

"The giant pandas are not only beloved by the people of South Australia but also attract visitors from other parts of Australia and overseas who travel to Adelaide to see them. This has contributed to the growth of South Australia's tourism and related service industries," Li said.

He highlighted a touching moment when Wang Wang and Fu Ni were departing for China. Back then, Adelaide Zoo set up a special "panda mailbox" that received over 1,000 letters and postcards from local children, containing their heartfelt wishes and reluctant farewells to the pandas.

The Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide has also organized activities such as an International Chinese Language Day at the venue, inviting local youth to participate, with other institutions similarly holding public cultural events, Li said. "These activities have sown seeds of China-Australia friendship among local residents, particularly the youth," Li said.