China's Long And Fuzzy History Of 'Panda Diplomacy'

The lease model saw pandas being loaned for significant fees, typically between US$500,000 to $1 million per year , with the proceeds directed towards conservation efforts in China. These agreements also typically trigger joint research projects on panda conservation, fostering scientific collaboration alongside diplomatic relations.

Adelaide's Wang Wang and Fu Ni, the only giant pandas currently in the Southern Hemisphere , came to Australia under such a deal in 2009 .

Under current Chinese leader Xi Jinping, panda diplomacy has been regularly used to symbolize China's willingness to strengthen bilateral relations with other nations.

For instance, Malaysia received two pandas in 2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with China. Likewise, two pandas were sent to Indonesia in 2017 as part of the 60th anniversary of the countries' relations.

The loan of two pandas to Germany in 2017 coincided with Xi's visit to Berlin. He and then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel also attended the official opening ceremony of the Panda Garden at Zoo Berlin.

Even the recent tensions between the US and China haven't derailed panda diplomacy. Last year, the US returned three pandas – Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their American-born son Xiao Qi Ji (which means“Little Miracle” in Mandarin) – from the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington to China.

But Xi said two new giant pandas would take their place later this year , calling them“envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.”

If it's not already obvious, pandas are cute and charismatic . Because of their gentle demeanor, pandas have been seen as symbols of peace and friendship .

However, there is more to pandas than just their charm. They are distinctly Chinese – they are only found in the wild in China – yet hold universal appeal. They have long drawn global attention to endangered and vulnerable species , highlighting issues such as climate change. The World Wildlife Fund's logo, in fact, is a panda, further demonstrating its appeal as a universal symbol for conservation movements .

Despite their effectiveness as ambassadors, pandas are incredibly difficult to breed in captivity , with narrow mating windows and complex needs. Wang Wang and Fu Ni, for instance, have failed to conceive at Adelaide's zoo, despite considerable efforts.

Another challenge is the considerable financial pressure pandas can impose on host countries to meet the stringent requirements for their care.

This raises questions of whether the funding should be directed to other projects that need financial resources instead.

Li's visit to Adelaide Zoo – his first stop on his Australia visit – symbolises China's willingness to stabilize and improve its relationship with Australia.

Sign up for one of our free newsletters

• The Daily Report Start your day right with Asia Times' top stories
• AT Weekly Report A weekly roundup of Asia Times' most-read stories

Responding to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's call for pandas to remain in Australia during his visit to China last November, Li's gesture represents a significant diplomatic move after years of frosty relations between the countries.

An empirical study in the United States has shown that panda diplomacy has been relatively effective in building positive attitudes toward Chinese culture, people and government.

However, pandas can only do so much. A recent poll indicates Australians remain wary of China's government, despite improving diplomatic relations in the past year.

And profound challenges are expected to continue testing Australia-China relations, such as Australia's enhanced security alliance with the US , the imprisonment of Chinese-Australian author Yang Hengjun and recent confrontations between the Chinese and Australian militaries.

As such, some commentators have warned Albanese not to allow Li's trip to become a“propaganda boon” for China. Ultimately, the true measure of success of any bilateral relationship will hinge on tangible policy changes and mutual trust, beyond the symbolism of panda diplomacy.

Yu Tao is Associate Professor in Chinese Studies, The University of Western Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Already have an account? Sign i Sign up here to comment on Asia Times stories OR

Thank you for registering!

An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link.