China Offers Bear Hug to Old Foe
China's campaign to woo Taiwan away from declaring independence took another turn yesterday with an offer of two giant pandas to mark the first meeting of the leaders of the Communist party and its historic foe, the Kuomintang, since the civil war ended in 1949.
In the world of diplomacy, the gestures do not get much bigger, or hairier, than this.
China's campaign to woo Taiwan away from declaring independence took another turn yesterday with an offer of two giant pandas to mark the first meeting of the leaders of the Communist party and its historic foe, the Kuomintang, since the civil war ended in 1949.
The "panda diplomacy" - for China, they represent the country's ultimate gift - was part of a charm offensive that also included an easing of restrictions on tourism and agricultural imports, designed to bolster support for Lien Chan, head of Taiwan's main opposition party.
It followed a groundbreaking trip to the mainland by Mr Lien, whose Kuomintang party retreated to Taiwan from the mainland 56 years ago.
Beijing has improved ties with its old enemy to split public opinion in Taiwan and press the island's independence-minded president, Chen Shui-bian, to reconcile with it.
Mr Chen responded yesterday by inviting China's president, Hu Jintao, to visit the island state. During a visit to the state of Kiribati, in the south Pacific, Mr Chen said: "Mainland China clearly lacks understanding about Taiwan and that is why there has been misjudgment and misunderstanding."
The pandas are part of an intensifying carrot-and-stick campaign against Taiwanese separatism that has also seen China increase the number of missiles aimed at the island and pass an anti-secession law justifying the use of force to prevent independence.
China has used panda diplomacy in the past. In the 70s it supplied zoos in the US and Europe as a sign of friendship after the restoration of full diplomatic ties.
Taiwan has yet to accept the animals. Similar offers have been rejected in the past. Supporters of Mr Chen fear that the gesture is a ploy to foster unification.
Beijing, however, was keener to talk about furry hugs.
"We hope the pandas, with their tame nature, air of nobleness and cuddly looks will bring joy and laughter to the Taiwan compatriots - children in particular," the Xinhua news agency quoted Chen Yunlin, head of the mainland Taiwan Affairs Office, as saying.
China's campaign to woo Taiwan away from declaring independence took another turn yesterday with an offer of two giant pandas to mark the first meeting of the leaders of the Communist party and its historic foe, the Kuomintang, since the civil war ended in 1949.
The "panda diplomacy" - for China, they represent the country's ultimate gift - was part of a charm offensive that also included an easing of restrictions on tourism and agricultural imports, designed to bolster support for Lien Chan, head of Taiwan's main opposition party.
It followed a groundbreaking trip to the mainland by Mr Lien, whose Kuomintang party retreated to Taiwan from the mainland 56 years ago.
Beijing has improved ties with its old enemy to split public opinion in Taiwan and press the island's independence-minded president, Chen Shui-bian, to reconcile with it.
Mr Chen responded yesterday by inviting China's president, Hu Jintao, to visit the island state. During a visit to the state of Kiribati, in the south Pacific, Mr Chen said: "Mainland China clearly lacks understanding about Taiwan and that is why there has been misjudgment and misunderstanding."
The pandas are part of an intensifying carrot-and-stick campaign against Taiwanese separatism that has also seen China increase the number of missiles aimed at the island and pass an anti-secession law justifying the use of force to prevent independence.
China has used panda diplomacy in the past. In the 70s it supplied zoos in the US and Europe as a sign of friendship after the restoration of full diplomatic ties.
Taiwan has yet to accept the animals. Similar offers have been rejected in the past. Supporters of Mr Chen fear that the gesture is a ploy to foster unification.
Beijing, however, was keener to talk about furry hugs.
"We hope the pandas, with their tame nature, air of nobleness and cuddly looks will bring joy and laughter to the Taiwan compatriots - children in particular," the Xinhua news agency quoted Chen Yunlin, head of the mainland Taiwan Affairs Office, as saying.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Giant Panda Facts
- Facts on Pandas
- The Lesser Panda, The Bear That Thinks It’s a Cat
- Captive-bred Panda Missing After Fight With Wild Rival
- Pandas at Risk in Bamboo Crisis
- The Demise of the Panda
- Captive-bred Chinese Panda Dies in the Wild
- Out of the Woods: Panda Breeding Plan Saves Species
- Eats Shoots and Thrives
- Hundreds of People Join Polar Bear Club Members in Icy Splash
- Endangered Panda Bears