Shu Rong

Basic Profile

Shu Rong (Chinese: 蜀蓉, studbook number 667), known in Macau as Xin Xin (心心, “Heart”), is a female giant panda born on July 5, 2007 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. She weighs approximately 110 kg.

Her father is Lin Lin (琳琳) and her mother is Shu Qing (蜀庆, studbook 536). She comes from the “Shu” family line — her siblings include Yong Yong (勇勇), Shu Lin (蜀琳), Shu Xiang (蜀祥), and Shu Yun (蜀云).

---

Selection for Macau

In 2009, the central government gifted a pair of pandas to Macau — Kai Kai (开开, originally Shu Xiang) and Xin Xin (心心, originally Qi Miao). When Xin Xin passed away in 2014, leaving Kai Kai alone, President Xi Jinping announced that a new pair would be gifted for the 15th anniversary of Macau’s return to China.

A rigorous selection process evaluated 55 candidate pandas across five criteria: health, appearance, behavior, reproductive potential, and genetics. The field was narrowed to three pairs, then two. On March 31, 2015, Shu Rong and Ya Lin (娅林, studbook 726) were selected.

Journey to Macau

On April 30, 2015, Shu Rong and Ya Lin flew to Macau aboard Air China flight CA649. They were welcomed at the Macau Seac Pai Van Park panda pavilion — a fan-shaped, nature-inspired facility built into a hillside, covering over 1,200 square meters. After 30 days of quarantine, they debuted on June 1, 2015.

Their Macau names were announced as “Xin Xin” (心心) for Shu Rong and “Kai Kai” (开开) for Ya Lin — together forming “Kai Xin” (开心), meaning happiness.

---

Life in Macau

Motherhood

On June 26, 2016, Shu Rong gave birth to twin male cubs. The first-born weighed 135 grams and the second weighed just 53.8 grams — dangerously small. Macau and Chengdu experts worked together to ensure the smaller cub survived. Through a public naming competition, the twins were named Jian Jian (健健) and Kang Kang (康康) — together forming “健康” (health) and completing the “Happy Family” (开心家族) with their parents.

Personality

Shu Rong is described as round-bodied with a short round mouth, big round head, and round ears. Her personality is gentle and timid — though she is large, she never bullies smaller pandas. She is active, playful, and a hearty eater, rolling around like a “meatball” when she plays. She adapted quickly to her new home in Macau and remains healthy and well-cared for.

---

Family

• Kai Kai / Ya Lin (开开/娅林): Mate, gifted together to Macau
• Jian Jian (健健): Son, born June 26, 2016
• Kang Kang (康康): Son, born June 26, 2016