Malaysia Names Baby Giant Panda 'Nuan Nuan' to Mark Warm Relations with China

The baby giant panda born in Malaysia is named "Nuan Nuan". [Photo by Bai Yuzhu of the Chinese embassy in Malaysia]

The baby giant panda born in Malaysia last year was named "Nuan Nuan", which means "warm" in Chinese on Thursday, as a symbol of the warm relations between Malaysia and China.

The name "Nuan Nuan" was chosen from the 22,830 suggestions collected from a naming competition from November to December last year, said Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jarfar.

"Nuan Nuan" was chosen as it "reflects the relations between Malaysia and China," said Wan Junaidi when announcing the result.

The choice was agreed by Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association and approved by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his cabinet, Wan Junaidi added.

Oh Teik Peng, a school teacher who comes up with the name and also the winner of the naming competition, said "Nuan Nuan" suggests the warm character of giant pandas as well as the warm relations between the two countries.

The baby female giant panda was born on Aug. 18, 2015 in Malaysia's national zoo. Her parents, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, arrived in Malaysia on loan in 2014, marking the 40 anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between China and Malaysia.