On October 16, Flight SQ828 of Singapore Airlines arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on time. After the safe landing of the flight, two special “passengers” from Zimbabwe—a pair of African lions set foot on Chinese territory for the first time. Shanghai Customs District opened a “special cargo clearance” window and quickly finished clearance and release procedures for the lions to ensure that they can enter and settle down in Shanghai smoothly.

The two African lions are the national presents given by Mr.Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Shanghai Customs District prepared in advance with a detailed clearance plan, assigned the dedicated window for service, and contacted with Pudong International Airport grounding agent, relevant customs broker, and Shanghai Wild Animal Park for coordination in related matters following the arrival of the lions, to ensure the entry clearance both effective and convenient.

On the morning of October 16, all relevant declaration materials were ready shortly after the flight took off from Zimbabwe. The customs broker submitted declaration materials to the “special cargo clearance” window of Pudong International Airport Customs House, and then the designated officers quickly finished inspection and release procedures.

Now the two lions have been sent to Shanghai Wild Animal Park for their new life in China as a symbol of Chinese-Zimbabwean friendship.