A global trend of returning pandas has emerged, with countries collectively rejecting the use of pandas as political sacrifices by the CCP. (Video screenshot)
[People News] Cui Tiankai, who previously served as the Chinese ambassador to the United States, famously remarked in 2013: "Washington actually has two Chinese ambassadors: myself and the little panda at the National Zoo." This statement highlights that the round and adorable giant panda, perceived as cute by the public, is being exploited by the CCP as a tool to infiltrate Western nations. Consequently, pandas have become a common sight in many zoos worldwide. However, experts now assert that the 'panda diplomacy' long orchestrated by China is nearing its conclusion.
The world is rejecting the notion of pandas as political sacrifices for the CCP.
This assertion comes from Du Yiqin, the founder of the Taiwan Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. On June 5, Du Yiqin shared an analysis on Facebook, indicating that from 2023 to 2026, an unprecedented wave of 'panda returns' will occur globally, with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Japan gradually sending pandas back to China. While the reasons given may differ on the surface, they fundamentally reflect a collective consensus within the international community to no longer allow conservation animals to be used as political tools.
Du Yijin has called for the return of pandas to China, urging the global community to reject the use of conservation animals as political pawns. He noted that the United States, which has historically served as a leading country in 'panda diplomacy,' has experienced a decline in Sino-U.S. relations in recent years, prompting zoos in Washington, Memphis, and Atlanta to return their pandas. The two pandas, 'Sunshine' and 'Sweetie,' at the Edinburgh Zoo in the UK also departed after their official rental agreement expired, an event that British media widely interpret as symbolic of the deteriorating Sino-British relations.
In a social media post today, Du Yijin emphasised that the United States, once a key player in 'panda diplomacy,' has seen its relations with China worsen in recent years, leading to the return of pandas from zoos in Washington, Memphis, and Atlanta. Other countries are following suit: in the UK, the two pandas 'Sunshine' and 'Sweetie' at the Edinburgh Zoo left after their rental agreement expired, which British media generally view as a symbolic event in the context of worsening Sino-British relations. In Finland, the Ahtari Zoo, unable to cover the substantial annual costs of up to 1.5 million euros, ultimately decided to end its partnership early and return the pandas after the government declined to provide financial support.
Japan: When 'Li Li' and 'Zhen Zhen' return to China from Ueno Zoo in 2024, thousands of Japanese citizens will line up to bid them farewell. However, ongoing tensions in Sino-Japanese relations are influenced by factors such as the East China Sea dispute, the Diaoyu Islands issue, economic security, and semiconductor competition. Additionally, Japan's attitude towards giant pandas has seen a significant shift: the country is increasingly viewing pandas as a matter of 'conservation cooperation' rather than as a barometer of diplomatic relations. In other words, while the Japanese public continues to adore pandas, this affection has led them to reject the idea of using pandas as innocent tools in national diplomacy.
A Farewell to Old Diplomatic Thinking
Du Yijin emphasised that the previous model of China, which involved 'giving pandas when relations are good and taking them back when relations worsen,' has prompted countries to rethink their approaches. As nations worldwide reassert the importance of animal welfare and conservation values, this shift is not simply a rejection of China, but rather a departure from outdated diplomatic thinking.
Du Yijin further stated: If the 'panda diplomacy' of the 20th century symbolised national friendship, then the 'panda withdrawal trend' of the 21st century may signify a more mature consensus that animal protection does not belong to any regime and should not be used as a political pawn by any country.
Using Pandas to Confuse the International Community
Following the 1950s, the newly established Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime was not recognised by the international community and found itself diplomatically isolated, in need of allies. In response, Beijing devised a strategy to use pandas as a diplomatic tool. The CCP sent pandas to the Soviet Union and North Korea, and later to countries such as the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The CCP promoted pandas as a 'symbol of friendship,' using these charming animals as gifts to foreign nations, which unexpectedly proved effective in breaking down diplomatic barriers.
A notable instance of this occurred in 1972 when then U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China. The CCP presented the United States with two pandas, named Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, claiming that this gesture symbolised the warming of Sino-U.S. relations. The pandas created a sensation at the Washington Zoo, drawing over a million visitors in their first year and being hailed as a highly successful diplomatic public relations initiative.
After 1984, the CCP shifted from 'gifting pandas' to 'leasing' them, typically for a period of ten years.
Numerous researchers have observed that pandas often appear during periods of improved relations with diplomatic allies, significant economic and trade collaborations, and energy agreements. This includes milestones such as the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., the normalisation of relations between China and Japan, and major cooperation phases with France, Australia, and Canada.
Research indicates that panda diplomacy frequently aligns with resource, technology, and trade relations, and is viewed as part of fostering a 'friendly atmosphere.' In essence, pandas act as a 'diplomatic lubricant.'
The 'soft power' of pandas should not be underestimated.
Pandas possess a unique advantage: their rarity and endearing clumsiness make them favourites among both adults and children. Their slow movements and gentle nature create a perception of non-aggressiveness, leading many to mistakenly view the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as similarly mild and friendly. In contrast to the confrontations involving aircraft, artillery, ideologies, or hardline diplomacy, pandas have the ability to win over the hearts of foreign citizens, fostering goodwill towards China. This, in turn, helps to soften the stance of Western governments and diminish the international community's hostility towards 'Communist China.' Over time, Westerners may come to regard the CCP's illegitimate regime as a normal governmental entity. The CCP itself has even acknowledged that pandas serve as 'cultural ambassadors.'
Crafting the 'Peaceful China' image through pandas
The CCP's authoritarian regime has long been subject to international criticism. Domestically, the human rights situation under the CCP is appalling, with severe restrictions on freedoms such as speech, belief, and thought. The regime inflicts brutal persecution on Falun Gong practitioners, the Tibetan population, and the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, alongside harsh policies like the one-child policy, the persecution of dissenters and human rights lawyers, the Tiananmen Square massacre of students, the monitoring of public opinion, and the creation of tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. These actions frequently attract harsh condemnation from the international community. Furthermore, the CCP's aggressive 'wolf warrior' diplomacy has also faced considerable backlash over the years. As a result, the CCP employs panda diplomacy in an effort to mitigate its negative image. The CCP aims for the world to recognize that 'China is friendly, cute, and values conservation,' effectively transforming pandas into a diplomatic tool for national branding. In essence, pandas have become a political sacrificial offering for the CCP.
Panda diplomacy also varies in terms of proximity and distance.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a propaganda song titled "My Motherland," which features the lyrics: "When friends come, there is good wine; if wolves come, they are met with shotguns." This line effectively encapsulates the principle guiding the CCP's diplomatic approach: "friends or enemies." Even in its use of pandas as a diplomatic tool, the CCP makes a clear distinction between allies and adversaries.
Some analysts suggest that pandas serve not only as symbols of friendship but also as indicators of the CCP's diplomatic stance. For nations with strong ties, the CCP permits the renewal of panda leases and even sends additional pandas. Conversely, for countries experiencing strained relations, the CCP opts not to renew leases and returns pandas ahead of schedule. Recent returns of pandas from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan have been interpreted by some experts as indicative of a shift in Beijing's diplomatic posture.
Nevertheless, the CCP officially maintains that these actions are primarily due to the expiration of leases and conservation considerations.
A Blend of Soft and Hard Diplomatic Strategies
The CCP's panda diplomacy transforms one of China's most appealing animals into a diplomatic asset—capable of fostering closer international relations and enhancing China's image, while also functioning as a component of its soft power and political messaging.
However, the CCP employs a dual approach in its diplomatic strategies. In addition to using pandas to obscure the harsh realities of its regime, the CCP has not abandoned its wolf warrior diplomacy.
Wolf warrior diplomacy is designed to "make you think twice before underestimating me," while panda diplomacy aims to "make you like me." The CCP's strategy combines both soft and hard tactics, exploiting human goodwill to create discord on the global stage.
However, the overly aggressive nature of wolf warrior diplomacy has led Western countries to increasingly reject this approach, often placing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in diplomatic difficulties. As a result, the CCP's wolf warrior diplomacy has somewhat cooled in recent years. For instance, Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson for the CCP's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a prominent figure representing this style of diplomacy. During his time as spokesperson, he made numerous extreme statements that drew criticism from netizens. It seems the CCP has realised that wolf warrior diplomacy not only fails to intimidate but also creates too many adversaries. Consequently, in 2023, Zhao Lijian was reassigned from his role as spokesperson and deputy director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Information Department to the deputy director of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs.
Currently, there is a global trend of returning pandas, which suggests that panda diplomacy is also approaching failure.
This indicates that the international community's attitude towards the CCP is one of 'neither soft nor hard,' as they become increasingly aware of the tricks employed by the CCP and are no longer fooled. This can also be interpreted as a sign of the CCP's decline.
Appendix: Major countries returning pandas and the list of pandas over the past decade (approximately 2016–2026)
Year Country Panda Name Remarks
2017 Malaysia Nuan Nuan
Panda cub born in Malaysia returned to China
2019 United States Bai Yun Xiao Liwu
Pandas from San Diego Zoo returned to China
2023 United Kingdom Yang Guang Tian Tian
End of Cooperation with Edinburgh Zoo
2023 USA Mei Xiang Tian Tian Xiao Qi Ji
Washington National Zoo's Return to China
2023 USA Ya Ya
Memphis Zoo's Return to China
2023 Japan Xiang Xiang
Ueno Zoo's Star Panda Returns to China
2023 Malaysia Yi Yi Sheng Yi
Cubs Born in Malaysia Return to China
2024 Korea Fu Bao
Korea's Extremely Popular Panda Returns to China
2024 Japan Bi Li Xian Nu
Adult Pandas from Ueno Zoo Return to China
2024 USA Lun Lun Yang Yang Ya Lun Xi Lun
Pandas from Atlanta Zoo Return to China
2025 Malaysia Xing Xing Liang Liang
Returning to China after 11 years in Malaysia (originally named Fuwa, Fengyi)
2025 Japan Rauhin Yuihin Saihin Fuhin
Pandas returning to China from Adventure World in Wakayama
2026 Japan Xiao Xiao Lei Lei
Japan enters its first 'zero panda era' in over 50 years
(Published first by People News)
△
News magazine bootstrap themes!
I like this themes, fast loading and look profesional
Thank you Carlos!
You're welcome!
Please support me with give positive rating!
Yes Sure!