Giant panda Fu Bao arrives at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China, Wednesday. Fu Bao is the first giant panda that was born in Korea to Le Bao and Ai Bao, two pandas that were on lease from China, in 2016. EPA-Yonhap

China's treatment of Fu Bao, a female giant panda born in Korea which was returned, Wednesday, to her parents' country under an international agreement, has caused a stir among Korean and Chinese fans over animal welfare.

In Korea, many of Fu Bao's fans wept as she was transferred in a veiled vibration-free special vehicle — commonly used to transport semiconductors — throughout the farewell ceremony and trip to Incheon International Airport. Some 6,000 fans braved the rain to join the event at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Fu Bao's arrival also created much buzz in China, with "Fu Bao came back home" trending on Chinese social media Weibo.

However, China's management of the popular panda at the airport, which was live-streamed via local media, drew flak.

Notably, an unidentified official was spotted putting his finger through one of the transport container's breathing holes and touching the panda without wearing gloves. Fu Bao was also seen being exposed to camera flashes from the media upon arrival.

The footage outraged Fu Bao's Korean fans.

One internet user commented, "What is the use of quarantine if someone will touch her with their bare hands?" while others questioned the man's identity and reason for touching Fu Bao.

Several fans lamented how the panda "looks like a product on display" and urged the Chinese authorities to take special care of Fu Bao, pointing out that the animals are prone to stress from even small noises due to their high hearing sensitivity.

China's treatment of the beloved animal also upset Chinese fans.

"Is Fu Bao nervous? She appears to be out of breath," commented an online user in Xiao Hongshu, China's widespread social media platform.

"This group of media has no quality. How can they be with Fu Bao and disturb our tired panda?" another wrote, while another pointed out Chinese reporters are not wearing face masks around the national treasure.

In response, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, which accommodates Fu Bao, confirmed that "Fu Bao is safe and in good health."

A vibration-free special vehicle carrying giant panda Fu Bao passes fans during a farewell ceremony at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Fu Bao, a female giant panda born in Korea's Everland amusement park and turning four this year, was returned to China under an international agreement. AFP-Yonhap

The officials seen in the footage are the center's veterinarians who had their hands sanitized to go through necessary checks on Fu Bao's health condition, according to the center.

Fu Bao is accommodated at the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, China, which houses over 30 of her kind.

"Fu Bao was sensitive because she was a little nervous, but this is normal," Fu Bao's zookeeper Kang Cheol-won, also known as the "panda grandfather" by fans, said during an interview with local media in China. He confirmed Fu Bao "was safe and sound on her journey (to China)."

"Chinese zookeepers are well-acquainted and well-trained in panda breeding, so there shouldn't be a problem," he said, expressing hope to come visit Fu Bao again.

Meanwhile, Kang accompanied Fu Bao's farewell ceremony and trip to China despite bereaving his mother the day before.

Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming attended the farewell ceremony at the amusement park and thanked Kang for "showing the friendship between Korea and China." He sent flowers to Kang's mother's funeral to commiserate his loss.

The Korea Times reporter Park Ji-won contributed to this article.