First twin panda cubs of 2018 born in Chengdu

CHENGDU - A captive-bred giant panda gave birth to the first twin cubs of the year in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

The female twins, weighing 149.9 grams and 110.7 grams, respectively, were born on May 23 at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the base said.

They are the world's first set of captive-bred panda twins born in 2018.

It was the third birth for their mother Meng Meng, who base staff describe as an "experienced mother." The delivery was smooth and she immediately grasped and licked the babies, they said.