Two giant pandas sent by China arrived in the United States on Sunday, Beijing's state media said, after a leaders' summit that was heavy on symbolism and light on major breakthroughs.

The pandas' transfer had already been agreed but the departure was announced Thursday during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington.

The black-and-white mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a "panda diplomacy" programme to foster foreign ties.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang departed from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on a chartered flight at around 3:00 am (1900 GMT on Saturday), state news agency Xinhua reported.

After a 16-hour flight that crossed the international date line, the bears touched down in Atlanta, Georgia shortly before 7:00 am local time (1100 GMT on Sunday), Xinhua said later.

Steamed corn buns, bamboo shoots and carrots were prepared to...