Messages for Panda Bei Bei from China and U.S.

The giant panda Bei Bei, who was born and raised at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for more than four years, departed for China on Tuesday for the next chapter of his life.

Giant panda Bei Bei eats bamboo at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park before heading back to China, Tuesday, Nov 19, 2019, in Washington. [Photo: AP]

People from both China and the United States posed warm and witty messages online to show their love for Bei Bei. Here are some of the messages posed by Bei Bei's American fans.

BIBBI said: "It is lovely he can return home."

Liddle' P Kincheloe said: "Bye bye Bei Bei! Glad my kids got to visit with you 2 years ago :)"

CE said "This made me cry. Be a good boy. Waaaaa."

While fans in the U.S. are sad to see Bei Bei leave, many of his fans in China left messages to welcome him home.

Chen Kai said: "Bei Bei is like an overseas student returning home!"

Some messages found humor around Sichuan Province, where Bei Bei's new home is located. Sichuan Province is famous for its spicy cuisine.

Little Zhang said: "Bei Bei might have to pick up some Mandarin and Sichuan dialect now!"

June said: "Bei Bei, I hope you love the Sichuan hotpot."

Bei Bei's departure from the National Zoo is in line with the terms of a cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The agreement requires all cubs born overseas to return to China after their fourth birthday.

Bei Bei celebrated his fourth birthday on August 22. He will enter a breeding program when he reaches sexual maturity when he's between five and seven years old, according to the National Zoo.