Giant panda Qing Bao celebrates 5th birthday in Washington

Giant panda Qing Bao celebrated her fifth birthday on Saturday at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, drawing visitors with her playful antics.

Once shy and reserved when she first arrived at the zoo nearly two years ago, Qing Bao is now coming out of her shell and entertaining the crowd.

At the celebration, the zoo decorated Qing Bao's space with her favorite boxes and playful signs.

A 1970s-themed, panda-friendly fruitsicle cake shaped like a van was also made for her with frozen diluted grape, plum, apple and carrot juices.

Qing Bao took a few bites of the cake, tore into a few boxes, lay down to play with a red ball, then got back up to resume munching on her cake.

Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas at the zoo, said that Qing Bao and Bao Li, the female and male giant pandas who arrived as a pair, are both in good health.

Each month, the zoo sends its Chinese counterparts a report detailing the pandas' weight, diet and any health concerns.

Chinese experts review the report and provide feedback or recommendations if needed.

Thompson added that when Qing Bao is ready to breed in a year or two, a Chinese expert will probably come to Washington to assist with the process.

The Chinese Embassy in the US also hosted a panda-themed cultural event at the zoo, featuring activities such as face painting, calligraphy, watercolor painting and a panda-themed trivia quiz with prizes.

The event attracted many visitors.

Thompson, who has cared for giant pandas at the zoo for over three decades, said pandas have become a bridge connecting people in China and the US.

"It's a great program.

It's really a wonderful example of countries working together to try and save a species and doing really good work together," Thompson said.