The recently deepening conflict between the United States and China has spread beyond the border and even spread to the world-loved panda. When the United States criticized that “China is using pandas to engage in ‘punitive diplomacy,’” Chinese state media responded by saying, “On the contrary, the United States is targeting pandas and making them a political issue, and there are suspicions of abuse.”
On the 16th, the Global Times, an affiliate of the Chinese newspaper People’s Daily, published an editorial saying, “We must be wary of politicizing the panda issue.” When a family of three pandas who had been staying at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., returned to China in October last year due to the expiration of their lease period, this was in response to what the American media criticized as ‘punitive diplomacy’.
The Global Times said, “Rather, some Americans regard pandas as China’s representative soft power and are making them a target of criticism.” They even said, “There are suspicions that Aya, a panda who returned to China last year, was abused,” and demanded, “The United States must prove that it can provide suitable living conditions and environments for pandas.”
Pandas were once considered a symbol of friendly relations between the United States and China. After the pandas first sent to Washington in 1972 became popular nationwide, leases to other zoos increased. There were once 15 pandas in the United States, but now there are only four at the Atlanta Zoo. Their lease period also ends this year. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited the United States in November last year, suggested ‘resumption of panda diplomacy’, but as the conflict between the US and China continues, there is no talk of additional leases or extensions.
Fu Bao, who is loved by the people in Korea, is also set to return to China this year. A Chinese diplomatic source said on the 15th, “Everland and the China Wildlife Conservation Association are discussing the time and procedure for return, so the schedule will be announced within this month.” He added, “The return is expected to take place before July 20, when Fubao turns 4.” He said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.