<h5>What is Panda diplomacy?</h5><p>Giant pandas are native to central China, namely the Yangtze River region. The Chinese government gives or lends these pandas to other countries as a gesture of friendliness or soft diplomacy. This has given rise to the term "panda diplomacy.” During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), China first offered pandas as diplomatic gifts.</p><p>The custom has been maintained to this day. The USA also received its first panda from China in 1972. By 1984, panda diplomacy had changed. The animals were no longer given as presents but rather lent for ten years, with the option to increase the loan period. Lending pandas helped China improve its global image and trust.</p><p>It also improved China's partnerships with other countries. In exchange, host countries agreed to pay a yearly fee per panda. The panda cubs born overseas would have to be returned to China before the age of four.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/china-s-panda-diplomacy-continues%2FPanda%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=635492a8-a86e-4bae-ab07-b90a51dde473"><figcaption>The first two pandas received by the USA. Photo by The Hindu.</figcaption></figure><h5>Why is Panda diplomacy in the news again?</h5><p>In 2023, China recalled some pandas from the US and the United Kingdom (UK). The decisions came at a time when China’s relations with the West were tense. Recently, China has decided to send panda to the San Diego Zoo in the US. This will be the first time in more than two decades that China is sending pandas to the USA.</p><p>The China Wildlife Conservation Association announced that it has also signed agreements with the Zoo Aquarium de Madrid in Spain to lend them pandas. So, this decision came when there were fears that China’s panda diplomacy with Western nations was ending due to diplomatic issues.</p><p>The partnership between the zoos and the China Wildlife Conservation Association would include research into disease prevention and habitat protection. They would also help in establishing China's national panda park. China is also hoping to improve its relationship with the West, especially the USA, through panda diplomacy.</p><p>However, panda diplomacy has received various criticisms.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/china-s-panda-diplomacy-continues%2FPanda%203.jpeg?alt=media&amp;token=89ebead6-0541-4281-a293-0ad53da798d8"><figcaption>A baby panda. Photo by Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0</figcaption></figure><h5>What criticism has Panda diplomacy received?</h5><p>Many have criticised the increasing expense of borrowing pandas from China. China's declining reputation on the international stage may also contribute to decreasing interest in panda diplomacy.</p><p>Still, the money China earns from loaning pandas is reinvested in conservation research. This has helped to remove the animals from the endangered species list, despite their continued vulnerability.</p>

China has agreed to lend Pandas to the USA and Spain.

China’s Panda Diplomacy Continues

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China’s Panda Diplomacy Continues

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