Source: World Wide Web
When the ice pier of the Beijing Winter Olympics mascot based on the giant panda became the top stream, some media and politicians in the United States sang and stared at the giant panda again.
"50 years later, some people question the value of the 'panda diplomacy' between the United States and China," the New York Times on the 13th of the United States, an article titled on the subject, began by recalling that in February 50 years ago, China presented a pair of giant pandas to the United States to show friendship. However, after this seemingly warm and friendly beginning, the New York Times quickly resumed its usual tone and began to slander China's "giant panda diplomacy."
The New York Times: 50 years later, some people are questioning the value of "panda diplomacy" between the United States and China
Quoting experts, the article claims that the pandas act as Goodwill Ambassadors for China, "while softening China's authoritarian image and diverting attention from its record of human rights abuses." Andrew M. Thompson, a professor of political science at Columbia University who specializes in China's political foreign policy, said: Andrew J. Nathan said, "It's soft power." "Pandas are cute and likable," he said, "so it's a good fit for that kind of diplomatic image of friendship."
Immediately after, the article moved out of the statement of Nancy Mays, Republican member of the US House of Representatives, on the 2nd of this month. Metz announced at the time that she planned to propose an amendment to prevent U.S.-born pandas from being sent back to China. Metz's statement and the purpose behind it have made some American netizens not bear to complain.
Although the New York Times article continues to slander "panda diplomacy", the article also has to mention the popularity of giant pandas in the United States. The San Diego Zoo had giant pandas from 1996 to 2019. Donald Lindbergh, the zoo's former director of giant panda research, said the enduring appeal of these animals to zoos and visitors is simple, "they're popular, a lot of people come to see them, they're beautiful."
The New York Times article also attracted netizens to discuss, and some netizens believe that pandas have no political intentions ↓
"In fact, pandas, like koalas, have no political intentions"
"The only ones asking this question are war speculators, aka defense contractors"
Some netizens have begun to worry about not seeing giant pandas in Washington↓
"Just give us some pandas!" Fearing that when the Washington pandas return to [China], the only place we can see them is in Europe. ”
Some netizens are concerned about the life span of giant pandas ↓
"How long can giant pandas live"
"Giant pandas can live for 20 years"
According to Fox News, there are currently three zoos in the United States that lease giant pandas from China: the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and Zoo Memphis.
According to Xinhua News Agency and other media previously introduced, the life expectancy of giant pandas is generally about 25 years, and most of the giant pandas who went abroad earlier died of gastrointestinal and digestive system lesions and physiological disorders. "Lan Lan" and "Kang Kang" lived in Japan for several years and died; in the United States, "Xingxing" also received euthanasia due to diseases such as testicular cancer and advanced kidney disease. Out of its long-term concern for the protection of giant pandas and the reproduction of species, China has stopped donating giant pandas to the outside world. After research, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and international animal protection agencies have reached an agreement that has been used today: China will send a pair of healthy and fertile giant pandas abroad for a 10-year cooperative research in order to better take care of overseas giant pandas and protect this race.
In addition, China's suspension of gifts of giant pandas to the outside world is not related to the "soaring value" of giant pandas. Although rents may seem high, the $1 million a year rent is not "enjoyed" by China, but is used for the conservation and breeding of giant pandas in China. While foreign countries are contributing money, China, as the other party to the cooperation plan, has invested more human, material and financial resources in this regard.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying once said that the giant panda is cute and cute, and it is not only China's "national treasure", but also welcomed and loved by people around the world, and is a messenger and bridge for friendship between China and foreign countries, promoting the integration of Chinese and foreign cultures and people-to-people exchanges. At the same time, as the flagship species in the field of wildlife conservation, the giant panda has also played an active role in promoting global biodiversity conservation.