A plan to transfer a popular giant panda from Japan to China at the end of the year has been rescheduled for next spring.

Five-year-old Xiang Xiang was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. Her parents are on loan from China, and she will be transferred to the country as part of the agreement.

The plan was originally set for the end of 2020, but has since been pushed back multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say Xiang Xiang will now go sometime between mid-February and early March next year.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko says people may feel sad that Xiang Xiang is leaving. But she also says there is still time to see her at Ueno Zoo.