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China's Panda Diplomacy

China's Panda Diplomacy

GS-2: International Relations

(UPSC/State PSC)

Important for Prelims:

About Panda, IUCN, Wildlife Conservation Union, Panda Conservation.

Important for Main Exam:

About Panda, About China's 'Panda Diplomacy', Criticism of China's Panda Diplomacy, Conclusion.

29/02/2024

Why in News:

Continuing a long-term policy, China recently signed agreements with two zoos in the United States and Spain on panda conservation.

On February 22, China's Wildlife Conservation Union, Spain's Madrid Zoo Aquarium and the US's San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance agreed to cooperate for the conservation of giant pandas.
For decades, China has taken advantage of the furry creatures, unique to its geography, to strengthen its relationships with countries.
However, these latest panda agreements come at a time when China's relations with much of the Western world have deteriorated, and there were fears that many of the animals would soon be returned to different countries.

Pandas have been a part of China's Soft Diplomacy:

Under soft diplomacy, China gifted this panda to potential allies.
The Nationalist Party of China, which sought to ally with the United States against Japanese aggression during World War II, gifted a pair of pandas to the United States in 1941.
According to the South China Morning Post, “From 1957 to 1982, China donated a total of 23 giant pandas to nine countries: the Soviet Union, North Korea, the US, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Spain and Mexico. ,
However, in the 1980s, panda giving as gifts stopped due to global concerns from conservationists over the endangered status of the species at that time.
In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping similarly described the panda as a "messenger of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples".
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two pandas named Suhail and Soraya were sent to Qatar by China.

About Panda:

Characteristics:

Panda census:

The count of pandas conducted in 2014 revealed that their number in the entire world is around 1900. Of these, there are about 400 pandas that are under human supervision in zoos, sanctuaries and breeding centers and about 50 pandas are outside China.

Conservation:

In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgraded the panda from "endangered" to "vulnerable" on its Red List, citing a decline in its threat level.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, pandas were once "widespread throughout southern and eastern China, as well as neighboring Myanmar and northern Vietnam." However, human activities and intervention have greatly reduced its numbers.

About China's 'Panda Diplomacy':

Actually, China uses panda for its diplomacy, hence it is called 'Panda Diplomacy'.
In modern times, panda diplomacy started in 1956, when China gave a panda named Pingping to the Soviet Union. But before this, in the year 685, during the Tang Dynasty of China, Empress Wu Zetian had sent a pair of pandas to the Japanese ruler Emperor Tenmu.
When America's 37th President Richard Nixon went to China, he received two pandas as a gift. Later other countries also started demanding them.
In 1984, China changed its policy and started giving it as a loan instead of giving it as a gift.
China gives pandas to any country only on loan. By giving pandas, China shows with whom it has good relations. He shows his displeasure by taking the panda back.

China's ownership of Pandas:

Pandas are basically found in China only. If there is a panda anywhere in the world, China has the right over it.
According to Bloomberg reports, even if a panda is born in another country, it will still be owned by China.
According to a 2013 study by Oxford University, China gives pandas only to select countries as part of important trade deals.
Panda's rent is 10 lakh dollars per year i.e. approximately 8 crore rupees. This amount is used for the conservation of panda projects. Even when given on loan, these pandas remain the property of China. The children born from them are also from China.
Cubs born in foreign zoos result in additional payments to China.
Zoos can keep pandas only for 10 years or till a certain age.
Economic significance:
In every country in the world where there are pandas in their zoo, a large number of people go to visit and see the pandas. This increases tourism and revenue in that country.

Criticism of China's Panda Diplomacy:

Some have criticized the increased expense of borrowing pandas from China, or the need to frantically try to preserve an animal that humans primarily want to cage and admire.
Another factor behind declining enthusiasm for pandas may be China's overall reputation. Aggressive reassertion of claims on Taiwan, trade and diplomatic disputes with countries such as Canada and Australia, and military claims by India and in the South China Sea have contributed to less positive attitudes toward the country. When this is the case, pandas can hope to do something, but they can only do so much.
China did not renew its loan agreements with three US zoos in recent years. There are now four pandas left in America who will soon go away. Similarly, the agreements with Australia and the UK have not been renewed yet.
The first Panda in the Middle East reflected China's ambitions as a global player in politics and was also seen as a possible signal to move away from the West to gather other allies.

Conclusion:

Under Panda Diplomacy, there have been ups and downs in China's foreign relations with many important countries around the world including India. With the help of this panda, China has not only earned revenue but has also been successful in giving a new dimension to its diplomatic relations.

Source: Indian Express, The Hindu

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Mains Question:

“Panda” has been a part of China's soft diplomacy in international relations. Discuss.