XI'AN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three giant panda cubs, born in July and August this year, were given names Monday, according to a giant panda breeding research base in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
The names of the three cubs were announced at a 100-day-old celebration: giant panda Lousheng's cub was named "Qinku'er," and the pair of cubs born to giant panda Zhuzhu were named "Jiajia" and "Yuanyuan."
"Qinku'er" means the cub was born in the Qinling Mountains, while "Jiajia" and "Yuanyuan" stand for the national park or home, said Zan Linsen, deputy director of the provincial forestry bureau.
In China, people often celebrate when a baby turns 100 days old with family members and friends, giving their best wishes to the baby. Staff at the center used apples Monday to form four characters, wishing the three panda babies good health and happiness.
The birth of three cubs increased the center's captive panda population to 26. "The birth of three giant pandas this year marks that Shaanxi has fully mastered the captive-breeding technique of giant pandas," said Zan.
The number of wild pandas living in the Qinling Mountains has increased from 109 in the 1980s to 345.
