DC-based Bei Bei gets wishes on 1st birthday from first ladies of China, US

Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai (left) reads a message from China's first lady Peng Liyuan at a ceremony on Aug 20 celebrating the first birthday for giant panda Bei Bei at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Also attending are Dennis Kelly (center), the zoo's director, and David Rubenstein, the American financier and philanthropist who funds the giant panda at the zoo in Washington. Chen Weihua / China Daily

Bei Bei, the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, had a very special first birthday party on Aug 20.

The first ladies of China and the United States both sent their greetings. China's first lady Peng Liyuan said she was sending greetings from China, the hometown of pandas a world away.

"The giant panda is China's national treasure. Bei Bei's birth was the fruit of collaboration between China and the US and a strong symbol of our friendship," Peng wrote in a message read by Chinese ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai at a birthday celebration in the zoo's panda yard.

In September 2015, Peng and US first lady Michelle Obama visited the zoo and named the new-born panda cub Bei Bei, meaning "precious one" in Chinese.

Peng expressed her appreciation to the staff of the National Zoo for taking such good care of Bei Bei and to all American friends who love and cherish pandas.

Michelle Obama tweeted in the early morning, saying: "Today we celebrate the National Zoo's 'precious treasure' as he turns one year old. Happy birthday, Bei Bei!"

The zoo and the Chinese embassy held a special zhuazhou ceremony, a traditional ritual to honor a baby's first birthday that dates back to the Song Dynasty about 1,000 years ago and involves choices to foretell a child's future.

Three banners, with drawings and calligraphy symbolizing long life, health and habitat, luck and friendship, were placed in Bei Bei's yard. The artworks were created by children of Chinese diplomats in Washington. Panda keepers doused the poles of the banners with honey to get Bei Bei's attention.