The cause for panda diplomacy
The giant panda is Chinese national treasure. It has been sent out more than once to serve as an envoy of friendship, and has made an indelible contribution to the development of friendship with other countries. For instance, Wu Zetian, the empress of the Tang Dynasty once gave Japanese Tenmu Tennō two white bears and seventy furs as presents. And the most famous "panda diplomacy" was in 1972, which has helped to bring a "honeymoon" for the Sino-US diplomacy. From 1957 to 1982, China has totally sent 23 giant pandas to nine countries as gifts.
The giant panda is an envoy of friendship throughout the world. Many people may not know that, as early as back into the period of emperor Xuanzong in Tang Dynasty, it was sent to and taken by the Japanese envoy to Japan as gifts. It also has been brought to oversea countries repeatedly, making an indelible contribution to the development of friendship with other countries. It is reported that from 685 to 1982, when in three dynasties of China, there have totally sent out about 40 giant pandas overseas.
Today, there are still some pandas being leased to overseas. What differentiate from that in 1980s and 1990s, the leasing is long term with the purpose of studying breeding. Those pandas growing up overseas are mostly under artificial feeding or have been raised up by people, will not become a threat to the wild panda population, no matter in term of quantity or the source.
The "panda envoy" that has made great contribution to Chinese diplomacy now has only five descendants alive, one is in Japan, three in Mexico and one in Germany, who have joint the local nationalities.
Website copyrights:Ningshan Jiangkou Middle School Telefacsimile：09156941163