"Panda Diplomacy"
A successful bridge for communication or
a failing political tool
"Panda Diplomacy": China gifted pandas to certain countries as a symbol of diplomatic friendship and to signal a closeness in political ties. (Wiki)
How popular is panda?
•It seems pandas can be an effective way for foreigners to better know about China, but there are certain doubts related to it.
Doubt No.1
•With So many countries having diplomatic relationships with China, why limited countries get pandas?
In 1950, 15 countries have a diplomatic relationship with China.
In 1950, 0 countries except China have pandas.
In 1975, 103 countries have a diplomatic relationship with China.
In 1975, 6 countries except China have pandas.
In 2000, 163 countries have a diplomatic relationship with China.
In 2000, 9 countries except China has pandas.
In 2022, 178 countries have a diplomatic relationship with China.
In 2022, 14 countries except China have pandas.
Even when China has already built diplomatic relationships with 178 countries, why only 14 countries were chosen to be given pandas?
Doubt No.2
Is it a Representation of friendship or a Representation of Trade?
It seems that if one country has more trade with China, it is more likely to get more pandas!
Doubt No.3
Is panda diplomacy really make a difference in people's impression of China?
Compared to geopolitical factors, "panda diplomacy" is too weak to change people's impressions.
"Panda Diplomacy" may not be that successful, but as a student who is studying policy, our job is to find the real bridge for understanding and communication!
What can we do?
Photo by Milan Popovic on Unsplash
Photo by Milan Popovic on Unsplash
Explore
Find more resources related to peace building from the United Nation.
Communication
Attend communication activities such as Model United Nations. Communicate with teenagers from other countries.
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