Millions of Chinese welcome Ya Ya panda home after US stay

Ya Ya eats bamboo at the Memphis Zoo on April 8, 2023 [Karen Pulfer Focht/AP]

Giant panda Ya Ya, who lived 20 years at a United States zoo, is back in China after a controversy over her health played out against the backdrop of a souring relationship between Beijing and Washington.

Ya Ya arrived in Shanghai on Thursday afternoon to a social media storm. Panda lovers who could not make it to the airport launched what they called an online pick-up for Ya Ya.