Two pandas loaned from China were due to arrive in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur early on Wednesday after a monthlong delay amid tensions between the two countries over the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner.

Female panda Feng Yi and male partner Fu Wa were being transported from the Dujiangyan base of Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province and flown to Malaysia on Tuesday night by MAS Kargo. The airline is a cargo division of parent company Malaysia Airlines.

Panda breeders Li Caiwu and Yang Haidi accompanied the animals and will stay with them until they are used to their new environment.