Giant Panda Mei Xiang snacks on bamboo at the Snithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, in this handout image taken on April 19, 2015 and obtained on August 10, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - The National Zoo's giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to a cub on Saturday, the zoo said.

Earlier this week, veterinarians detected a 1.6-inch (4-cm) fetus during an ultrasound of Mei Xiang, who is a star tourist draw in the U.S. capital.

Mei Xiang previously has given birth to two surviving cubs: Tai Shan in 2005 and Bao Bao in 2013.