Danes in queue to see pandas in Beijing's popular 'panda diplomacy'

Thousands are queuing at Copenhagen Zoo to see two giant black-and-white bears on loan from China under Beijing's popular "panda diplomacy" initiative. Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary untied a red velvet ribbon to open the gates Thursday in her capacity as the zoo's patron.

She was assisted by her twins, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent. The opening came a day after Mary's mother-in-law Queen Margrethe inaugurated the Panda House that's been built for 6-year-old male Xing Er, and Mao Sun, a 5-year-old female.

The bears arrived last week in cargo containers and were driven to the zoo's new USD 24.2 million yin-yang shaped enclosure. Beijing has lent out pandas as a sign of goodwill. Any cubs born during the 15-year loan period are considered China's.

(With inputs from agencies.)