Singapore's Channel News Asia** March 5 article, original title: The resumption of panda diplomacy between China and the United States marks the warming of tensions after years The San Diego Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association signed an agreement in February this year, paving the way for the return of Chinese giant pandas to the United States in late summer. But the significance of the event goes far beyond an agreement between the two institutions, and it shows that relations between China and the United States are warming.
For decades, China has been building good long-term relations with other countries through "panda diplomacy", in which pandas are given or lent to show friendship or strengthen state-to-state relations. In 1972, the then ** Nixon of the United States visited China, and two giant pandas were presented to the United States as gifts, which was regarded as a major breakthrough in modern Sino-American relations. Since the 90s of the last century, "panda diplomacy" has been transformed into a long-term program for conservation and scientific research.
"Panda diplomacy" is part of soft power. Pandas are cute and have the advantage of winning hearts and minds. As a result, the giant panda has become an attractive part of China's international image. China** is sending giant pandas back to the United States in an attempt to show goodwill to the American public, especially in California, the birthplace of the American tech industry. California, home to Silicon Valley and San Francisco, is currently the world's center for AI development.
Beijing's reinstatement of the panda has raised diplomatic goodwill up several notches, demonstrating that China is serious about improving relations with Washington. After all, the return of the pandas represents China's recognition of a foreign country, and it usually heralds China's plans for a long-term, prosperous working relationship with Washington.
It can be said that the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo is the birthplace of China's "panda diplomacy" with the West and has been home to giant pandas since 1972. On November 8 last year, giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian and their cubs Little Miracle were airlifted back to China for the first time in more than 50 years that the zoo was free of giant pandas. At the time, there were fears that "panda diplomacy" had come to an end as tensions between China and the United States had clearly intensified.
In November last year, Chinese leaders held a meeting with Biden on the sidelines of the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco, indicating that there is a possibility of easing Sino-US relations. "We are willing to continue to cooperate with the United States in giant panda conservation, strive to meet the aspirations of the people of California, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples," the Chinese leader said. At that time, the Chinese side also arranged a dinner with hundreds of technology executives and business leaders from the United States. Therefore, Beijing decided to send its national treasure to California to demonstrate the importance of the state for the Asian power. This seems like a logical step.
It seems that Beijing's willingness to return national treasures to the United States is part of its strategy, not only to improve political relations with the United States, but perhaps more importantly, to help attract American investment and reshape China's image as a friendly and great power. (ENDS).
Written by Chee Meng Tan
*: Global Times.