Beijing offers pandas as ties with Australia thaw
During his visit to Adelaide Zoo, China’s Premier Li Qiang has proposed sending Australia a pair of new pandas. These pandas would replace the current residents, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who Mr. Li described as “friendly symbols of China-Australia relations.”
Mr. Li’s arrival in Australia for a four-day trip marks the first visit by a Chinese leader in seven years, signifying an improvement in bilateral ties. His visit is seen as crucial for addressing ongoing trade and consular issues between China and Australia.
Regarding the pandas, Mr. Li announced that Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return to China by the year’s end. He assured that China will promptly provide another pair of pandas to Adelaide Zoo, ones that are equally charming, youthful, and adorable.
Panda diplomacy, a tradition dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), has historically served as a diplomatic tool for China. This gesture underscores China’s efforts to strengthen its influence in the South Pacific, enhancing ties with island nations that have historical links with Australia.
Tensions between China and Australia have persisted, exacerbated by events such as former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call in 2020 for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19, which led to China imposing steep tariffs on Australian exports, including wine.
During his visit, Mr. Li was also taken to a winery by his Australian hosts, perhaps as a subtle reminder that Beijing recently lifted its tariffs on Australian wine.
On his arrival in Adelaide on Saturday, Mr Li heralded a thaw in the diplomatic rift.
He said: “Mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences and mutually beneficial cooperation” are key to the relationship.
But while ties between the countries seem to be improving since the Labour party took power in Australia in 2022, differences still remain.
They include the removal of the remaining trade barriers and the release of imprisoned Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun, who was arrested at Guangzhou airport in 2019.
On Monday, Mr Li will be in Canberra for a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Mr Albanese is expected to bring up the case of Mr Yang, who was given a suspended death sentence on espionage charges in February.
As Mr Li engages in trade and panda diplomacy in Australia, Mr Yang’s supporters released a statement on Sunday, saying Beijing’s High Court had reviewed and upheld the lower court’s sentence.
“Our most immediate concern is that Yang’s medical conditions remain serious and unaddressed […] we urge Prime Minister Albanese to use his meeting with Premier Li Qiang to directly demand that Yang be released on medical parole”.
