Communist Chinese Panda Diplomacy Returns to San Diego Zoo

Commentary Panda diplomacy is back, this time at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. A reminder: They’re not gifts, but loans. China will still own them and charge an estimated $1 million a year, plus $500,000 for any cubs born. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “We expect the new round of cooperation can further enrich research results on vulnerable species like the giant panda, promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance friendship between people.” That’s as reported in the Global Times, an English language propaganda outfit close to the Chinese Communist Party. The paper added: “The new round of research will focus on the prevention and control of major diseases for giant pandas, the protection of habitats and wild populations, the enhancement of investigation and monitoring capabilities, and the support for the construction of the China Giant Panda National Park. These efforts will establish an international academic exchange platform to promote exchanges in the protection of flagship species and umbrella species. They will also promote people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, enhancing friendship between the peoples of all nations....