Twin panda cubs appearing before the public for the first time

{O/C} We are saving the best for last, as twin panda cubs debuted before ardent fans in Tokyo for the first time.

{RVO}

The twins, male cub Xiao Xiao and its sister Lei Lei, which were born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in June, took their first steps as devoted fans held up their smartphones to capture the lovely moment.

But, the exhibition will only last until Friday as the ultra-contagious omicron variant spreads apace across Japan. The Zoo is indeed only open for that exhibit.

It's China which loaned the pandas as a gesture of goodwill in what's known as "panda diplomacy". As such, all pandas, including those born abroad, must eventually be returned to China.