A Taste of News: Panda diplomacy ‘panda-monium’

As many in my direct circle know, I read quite some news. I try to mention at least once per day that I read something in the news, casually, in a conversation. And since commentary and reviewing is something else I like to do, I thought of starting a series where I write my thoughts about an article I read. A lot of them will be related to China, since that is one of the topics I follow most closely.

Panda Diplomacy Might Not Be Dead Just Yet

New York Times

While working at the embassy a couple of years ago, the Netherlands had the great luck to be receiving the first pandas ever from the Chinese government. Now I do not have a lot of love for zoos, and I also do not have a lot of love for pandas.

I find it somewhat baffling that China took the panda, an animal that eats bamboo because it is too lazy to hunt, as its national animal. I also remember seeing pandas 15 years ago and the small ones had some attractiveness because they also move around a lot and seem like regular cubs being cute while doing dumb stuff. However, the adult pandas really reminded me of the adult couch potato. Especially since they just collected the bamboo remains on their chest.

A quick Google search on why the panda is China’s national animal turns up something about it being a symbol for peace and friendship, perhaps because they also have dificulty mating, and the black and white representing Yin and Yang. This sounds like something a consultancy company would write, and there is possibly some truth to it, but it also sounds quite questionable.

So the fact that this animal is not only beloved in and outside of China but also useful for actual diplomacy amazes me. I remember being sceptical when the Dutch pandas were arriving in this newly built enclosure, that also won a prize for being the most beautiful animal enclosure even if it mainly resembled a Chinese temple, and supposed to bring in all this new business. And a while later I read an article vindicating my suspicion that the Dutch are not brought to the east of our country that easily, although the zoo director still defended his decision to bring the pandas to the Netherlands.

Besides the fact that pandas need highly expert care, the other thing that surprises me does not scare people away, is that they are leased. Cubs and the pandas are to return to China, as the article mentions is happening to the US pandas. I guess in one way or the other, pandas are a bigger attraction on that side of the world, maybe because they are more connected to larger wildlife or simply because there are more people for the amount of pandas available.

I think it shows how effective some aspects of Chinese politics are at blending official and informal matters. How suddenly the Chinese Communist Party can influence your enjoyment of your zoo visit.