China’s ‘Panda Diplomacy’ Was All Just a Charade
The cute black-and-white bears never did much for the nation’s image in the world.
Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering culture. Previously, he covered foreign affairs.
Going home.
Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images North AmericaThe 50-year charade of China’s so-called “panda diplomacy” with the West is coming to an end. Three giant pandas at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, are scheduled to return to China in early December, following in the footsteps of their brethren from zoos in Memphis and San Diego. The last batch of four, currently housed in Atlanta, will leave these shores next year. There are no agreements to replace any of the animals, which means the US will soon be panda-free for the first time in 50 years.
Beijing is recalling its furry diplomats from plum postings by ending its contracts with zoos that house them. Giant pandas from the UK and Australia will also be heading back whence they came.
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China’s ‘Panda Diplomacy’ Was All Just a Charade