Beijing offers 2 new pandas to Australia, Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Adelaide Zoo to replace the current pair, Wang Wang and Fu Ni. Premier Li referred to the pandas as “friendly messengers of China-Australia relations,” highlighting the symbolic importance of the gesture. This visit marks the first time a Chinese leader has come to Australia in seven years, signaling a positive turn in diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who have been a beloved attraction at the zoo, will return to China by the end of the year. Premier Li assured that China would soon send another pair of pandas, described as “equally beautiful, lively, cute, and younger,” to Adelaide Zoo.
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The practice of gifting pandas, known as panda diplomacy, dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and has long been a tool of China’s international relations. This gesture comes as China aims to bolster its influence in the South Pacific, strengthening economic and security ties with island nations traditionally allied with Australia.
Relations between China and Australia soured in 2020 when former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an international investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Beijing imposed high tariffs on Australian products, including wine. During his visit, Premier Li was taken to a local winery, subtly reminding everyone of the recently lifted wine tariffs.
Upon his arrival in Adelaide, Premier Li emphasized the importance of
“mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation”
in fostering a strong relationship between China and Australia. Despite the improving relations since the Australian Labor Party came into power in 2022, some issues remain unresolved, including the removal of remaining trade barriers and the release of Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun, who has been imprisoned in China since 2019 on espionage charges.
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On Monday, Premier Li will meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. It is expected that PM Albanese will address Yang Hengjun’s case, who was sentenced to a suspended death sentence earlier this year. Yang’s supporters released a statement urging the Prime Minister to demand Yang’s release on medical grounds, citing his serious and untreated medical conditions.
As Premier Li engages in trade talks and panda diplomacy in Australia, the visit signifies a hopeful step towards resolving lingering issues and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
