The San Diego Zoo in California on Tuesday announced the name of the four-month old male panda cub as "Mei Sheng," which means "Born in U.S.A." 

The zoo announced the cub's name at a news conference held on Tuesday afternoon. Mei Sheng, which in Chinese means "Born in the U.S.A.," can also mean "Beautiful Life," said Don Lindburg, leader of the giant panda team at the zoo.

"Today's naming announcement is another milestone in the history of the San Diego Zoo's Giant Panda Conservation and Research Program," said Lindburg.

"On an international scale, this is now the second giant panda who will forever be linked to the United States. Mei Sheng serves as a symbol of continued advancement for giant panda conservation and research," Lindburg said.

The name announcement was delayed for four months according to a Chinese tradition which names baby pandas until 100 days after their birth.

Bai Yun, the zoo's female giant panda, gave birth to Mei Sheng on Aug. 19. Mei Sheng's paternity was confirmed last month when DNA tests showed that Gao Gao, a male panda brought from China last January, was Mei Sheng's father.

Mei Sheng's name was selected and approved by the China Conservation Wildlife Association, the organization that lent the zoo the cub's parents. The cub belongs to the association and will eventually return to China.

Mei Sheng now weighs 14 pounds, is growing teeth and is starting to walk, according to zoo officials.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2003)