Xing Hui

Basic Profile

Xing Hui (Chinese: 星徽, “Shining Star”, studbook number 710) is a male giant panda born on July 22, 2009 at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). He was born during a solar eclipse, giving rise to his name’s meaning. He arrived at Pairi Daiza in Brugelette, Belgium on February 23, 2014 alongside his mate Hao Hao (好好, studbook 741) — the first pandas to live in Belgium since 1987.

Family

Xing Hui and Hao Hao have three surviving offspring:

• Tian Bao (天宝, “Heavenly Treasure”), male, born June 2, 2016 — first panda born in Belgium. Returned to China in 2021.
• Bao Di (宝弟, “Little Brother”), male, born August 8, 2019 — twin.
• Bao Mei (宝妹, “Little Sister”), female, born August 8, 2019 — twin.

In February 2025, the CCRCGP confirmed that all three cubs are alive and well in China.

Life Journey

Early Life in China (2009–2014)

Xing Hui was born at Bifengxia along with his twin brother Xin Rui (studbook 711). In 2013, he was chosen together with Hao Hao as part of a 15-year cooperative research agreement between China and Belgium. Their selection followed a national vote in China in which Hao Hao was named “favorite panda of China.”

Journey to Belgium (2014)

Xing Hui and Hao Hao departed from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport on February 23, 2014 aboard a specially painted DHL Boeing 767, accompanied by two keepers, a veterinarian, and a 100-kilogram supply of bamboo from Wolong. A refueling stop was made in Bahrain, where the pandas were offered a “panda cake” made of grains, carrots, sugar, and soy.

Upon arrival at Brussels Airport, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo personally welcomed them alongside the Chinese ambassador. The pandas were transported to Pairi Daiza and underwent three weeks of quarantine.

Life at Pairi Daiza

On March 30, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, officially inaugurated the pandas’ enclosure — the “Chinese Gardens” — a 5,300-square-meter habitat within Pairi Daiza’s larger Chinese garden, the largest in Europe. The pandas debuted to the public on April 3, 2014.

Xing Hui can be distinguished from Hao Hao by his smaller ears and larger black patches around the eyes.

Fatherhood (2016, 2019)

In February 2016, Hao Hao was artificially inseminated with Xing Hui’s sperm. On June 2, 2016, she gave birth to Tian Bao, the first giant panda born in Belgium. In April 2019, Hao Hao was successfully inseminated again. On August 8, 2019, she gave birth to twins Bao Di (male) and Bao Mei (female).

All three cubs were returned to China as part of the agreement — Tian Bao in 2021 and the twins in late 2024.

Current Status

Xing Hui continues to reside at Pairi Daiza alongside Hao Hao as of 2025. Their 15-year loan agreement, signed in 2014, is one of the longest panda conservation loan agreements in Europe. They remain one of Pairi Daiza’s most popular attractions, drawing thousands of visitors daily to the Chinese Gardens.