Panda Diplomacy

Panda diplomacy is an ancient Chinese tradition, in that it has existed since the 7th century Tang Dynasty, when Empress Wu Ze Tian gave 2 pandas to Japan.

 

However, there is lack of literature on panda diplomacy after that.

 

The practice only regained prominence in the 1950s, when China gained independence and became the People’s Republic of China. Still vulnerable to external threats, China urgently needed to make ties with allies. Thus, they gave their allies pandas as symbols of friendship. Their first pandas were given to Communist allies, such as North Korea and Russia.

 

Pandas were ideal symbols as they are very closely linked to China’s national identity and are incredibly charismatic. In addition, they could only be found in China, making them rarities. At a time when China was poor, pandas were something valuable that could be given to allies at low personal cost.

 

After 1984, China changed its panda diplomacy methods. Instead of giving away pandas for life and for free, they now rented out their pandas at a flat rate per year for a maximum of 10 years. Their criteria for panda diplomacy have also increased. Now, they are concerned not only with how much benefit the gift of pandas can bring them but also the standard of cares the pandas will receive in that country.

 

Their panda policy changed again after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, when much of panda habitat was destroyed or damaged in the earthquakes. Now, pandas needed to be rehoused urgently. Thus, the number of pandas used for panda diplomacy has risen since then.

 

As of now, there are 23 pairs of pandas loaned worldwide to 13 countries, all of which are either close allies or trade partners with China with something China wants.

 

Refer to Cases of Panda Diplomacy for examples.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email