Pandas: Masters at International Relations?
A Giant Panda lies down at Atlanta Zoo (Wikimedia Commons)
The arrival of two new pandas named Yun Chuan and Xin Bao in San Diego Zoo a few months ago has sparked a renewed interest in China’s panda diplomacy. The action of giving pandas to allies and competitors as a sign of friendship likely originated from the Tang Dynasty and picked up again in 1941 when Beijing sent two pandas to the United States after it entered World War II. While panda diplomacy specific to the United States has received a lot of attention, panda diplomacy in other countries has also signaled interesting shifts in China’s relations and goals with the world.
Russia: Pandas as a Symbol of an Alliance Against the West?
In 1957, Mao Zedong gifted one panda, Ping Ping, to the Soviet Union to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. This was a move intended to bring the two socialist countries closer together during the Cold War (Mao also sent pandas to North Korea). Later, China sent An An to be a mate for Ping Ping. But even after this show of friendship, relations between the countries soured after ideological differences on the implementation of Marxism. China showed this strain symbolically by neglecting to send any new pandas to Moscow after both Ping Ping and An An died. However in 2019, China used panda diplomacy to solidify the relationship between the two countries and showcase a united front to the Western world. Moscow welcomed two new pandas at a time when tensions rose between both countries and the United States (China was engaged in a trade war and in Russia, relations with the United States and other Western countries reached the lowest point since the Cold War). Thus, as Moscow’s new pandas, Ru Yi and Ding Ding, strengthened the relationship between friends Xi Jingping and Vladimir Putin, they also highlighted to the Western world that two superpowers were going to deepen their trust and engagement with one another. In 2024, the two pandas gave birth to a baby panda the Russians named Katyusha, a choice that only emphasizes that message.
Japan: Pandas as a Symbol of Moving On?
After World War II, tensions between China and Japan were high due to the memory of the countless Japanese war crimes committed in China during the war. These tensions heightened as Japan recognized Taiwan as the legitimate Chinese government and China entered into an agreement with Russia in the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance in 1950 in order to get protection from possible aggression from Japan and its allies. Only in 1972 did relations normalize again, with Japan switching to recognize the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate Chinese government. Along with this normalization came pandas. Sent as a commemoration to show peace between the two nations, China offered Kang Kang and Lan Lan as symbols of Japan-China friendship. This was a far cry from the tumultuous relationship that plagued both countries before; the pandas helped reignite positive sentiments between China and Japan. Recently, however, China has repatriated the pandas in Japan and tensions between the two countries have been rising. Still, China has shown some signs of yet again using panda diplomacy in order to ease relations.
Australia: Pandas as a Symbol of Reconciliation?
Australia also was a recipient of panda diplomacy in 2009, when Wang Wang and Fu Ni came to Adelaide Zoo. This was at a time when relations between the countries were blooming. However, in 2020, relations promptly worsened when Australia called for an inquiry into COVID-19’s origins in China. In retaliation, China imposed high tariffs on Australian wine, which created friction between the two. Recently, relations have improved, with a changing economic relationship and the Labor Party coming into power. This year, China lifted its detrimental tariff. The thawing of relations between China and Australia came at a time when the lease on Wang Wang and Fu Ni was expiring. Although Prime Minister Albanese wanted the pandas to stay, both pandas are leaving for China. But, as a symbol for possibly renewed, repaired relations, China has promised two new “beautiful, lively, cute, and younger” pandas will come to Adelaide Zoo.
Panda diplomacy has been a reliable tool in the international relations arsenal of China. Not only can pandas prove as symbols for China’s political agenda, but they also serve to inspire a better image of China in other countries. However, this practice has garnered criticism by some groups like PETA who believe shipping pandas across the world is extremely harmful to the animals. Nonetheless, if the joyful arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao are any indication, panda diplomacy is still going strong.