Lending pandas to foreign zoos is a useful soft power tool for Beijing, but tense international relations are clouding the practice.
Mei Xiang at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, D.C., April 19, 2025. Credit: Smithsonian's National Zoo via Flickr
China’s cutest cultural ambassadors are heading back. Three pandas — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji — left for China on November 8, saying goodbye to their former home at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC. Their departure, along with those at other American zoos, looks set to leave the U.S. panda-free for the first time since rapprochement with China began in 1972, unless warming ties between the two countries continue.
This week, The Wire looks at China’s history o
Exclusive longform investigative journalism, Q&As, news and analysis, and data on Chinese business elites and corporations. We publish China scoops you won't find anywhere else.
A weekly curated reading list on China from Andrew Peaple.
A daily roundup of China finance, business and economics headlines.
We offer discounts for groups, institutions and students. Go to our Subscriptions page for details.
An ebook collection of interviews with the American policy makers who have shaped the U.S.'s relationship with China under six presidential administrations, carried out by former Wall Street Journal senior editor Bob Davis.
Interviews include Nancy Pelosi, Robert Lighthizer, Charlene Barshefsky, Robert Gates, Ash Carter, Robert Rubin and more.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy
