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Where does ‘panda diplomacy’ come from?

9 December 2023

9:00 AM

9 December 2023

9:00 AM

Black and white politics

Two pandas, Yang Guang and Tian Tian, left Edinburgh Zoo for China after their 12-year loan to Britain ended. But contrary to popular belief, ‘panda diplomacy’ didn’t begin in 1972 when Chairman Mao gave two to the visiting Richard Nixon – and received two musk oxen in return.

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