Beijing: Amidst strained relations between China and the United States, Beijing is set to reinitiate its famed ‘panda diplomacy’ in an effort to mend fences. The practice, known as ‘panda diplomacy,’ involves sending giant pandas from China to other nations as a gesture of goodwill and a means to bolster diplomatic ties.
The latest recipients of China’s panda diplomacy are the Washington National Zoo, with the endeavor being coordinated by the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association. Tensions between the two nations escalated two years ago following the discovery of a Chinese spy balloon on US, causing a rift in their relationship. Despite a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in November 2023 during a conference in San Francisco, no substantial talks materialized.
Beijing is banking on the power of panda diplomacy to bridge the gap between the two nations, believing that the goodwill gesture will help alleviate the distance the US has shown towards China. This move follows China’s recent attempt at panda diplomacy with Austria, indicating its intention to using these beloved animals as a tool for diplomacy.
What is Panda diplomacy?
Panda diplomacy is the practice of sending giant pandas from China to other countries. The aim is to improve diplomatic relations and wild life conservation of the endangered species. China views this as an indication of open-mindedness.
The very first instance of Panda diplomacy was reported in 1941 with the Unites States when China was under Japanese rule. In the 1970S, under the US President Richard Nixon, Washington and Beijing worked to improve their ties, especially Nixon visited China during Cold War.
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