Yeah, that Panda is a leftover from better times when China gave them as diplomatic gifts. Its the offspring of 2 Pandas that were originally given to mexico before the 1980's when China stopped gifting and started the lending thing.

There are 2 more, that are not considered a loan, in Taiwan. But they are more a "F*ck your independence, you belong to us anyways"-gifts with the Chinese arguing that it was an inner country transfer and not a gesture to a foreign nation.

Nevertheless, all Pandas outside of China have been political pawns for the Chinese government including Xin Xin in Mexico.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 months ago (3 children)

I've seen some recent news about China gifting Brazil a panda in a diplomatic move. So, they don't own all pandas, or wasn't it really a gift?

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

It might have been on loan, but described as a gift as there's limited numbers they loan out.

Part of the reasoning for the loan system is that there's a limited number, and the terms of the loan allows China to take them back in the event the zoo fails to care for them appropriately, which happens with depressing regularity.

[–] norimee 9 points 3 months ago

They are given as a loan. The Wikipedia page about Panda diplomacy someone else linked is quite interesting and explains it all.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

Gifting the temporary use of the panda

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Also used as tools of diplomacy, which is pretty funny https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panda_diplomacy