What is panda diplomacy, and why are the bears going back to China?
Al JazeeraSince the Tang Dynasty, China has given or lent pandas to other countries, but now many are headed back home. In turn, host countries would pay an annual fee of about $1m per bear, and there’s an understanding that panda cubs born abroad would have to be returned to China before their fourth birthdays. Experts at Oxford University who conducted a study on panda diplomacy noticed China leases the bears to countries that it has made trade deals with. Probably because Scotland has natural resources that China wants a stake in.” The pandas were sent to Scotland in 2011 after the two countries signed an oil deal. Kurt Tong, an analyst with Asia Group consultancy and a former diplomat told the Agence France-Presse news agency: “Given the current tenor of US-China relations, it is not surprising that Chinese authorities are allowing panda contracts with US zoos to expire.” The US has strong trade deals with Taiwan and continues to sell defence equipment to its military, a move Beijing is less than pleased with.
History of this topic
Red panda diplomacy offers glimmer of hope even as China-Taiwan tensions soar
The IndependentThe winner in China’s panda diplomacy: the pandas themselves
Associated Press
China’s Panda diplomacy tested as fight erupts over Fu Bao
Live Mint
China to send two giant pandas to Washington, DC, zoo
Al Jazeera
Panda diplomacy? China to send pandas to the San Diego Zoo for the first time in years
LA TimesChina calls for peaceful coexistence and promises pandas on the 45th anniversary of U.S.-China ties
Associated Press
China calls for peaceful coexistence and promises pandas on the 45th anniversary of U.S.-China ties
The Independent)
Vantage | How pandas became a part of Chinese diplomacy
Firstpost
Panda diplomacy: China may be making the U.S. a cuddly offer it cannot refuse.
Slate
Pandas could return to U.S. after Xi-Biden summit
Raw Story)
Will pandas return to the US following Xi Jinping and Joe Biden's talks?
FirstpostXi signals that China will send new pandas to the US
Associated Press
Washington, D.C., celebrates beloved pandas before they return to China
NPRDC pandas will be returning to China in mid-November, weeks earlier than expected
Associated Press)
Panda Politics: Why are US zoos sending back the bears to China?
Firstpost)
Bear Necessity: Why has Taiwan sought China’s help for its giant panda?
Firstpost)
China marks 50 years of 'panda diplomacy' with US: How Beijing used animal to push agenda
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Giant Pandas Arrive in Washington, D.C., but Won't Be Ready for Public Debut Until January
Associated Press
