Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang proposed gifting two new giant pandas to Australia during his visit to Adelaide Zoo.
Mr Li said the new pandas, which will replace the zoo’s existing giant pandas “Wang Wang” and “Funi”, are “envoys of friendship between China and Australia”.
Li Keqiang arrived in Australia for a four-day visit, the first by a Chinese leader in seven years, marking an improvement in relations between the two countries.
Both China and Australia see the visit as central to resolving outstanding trade and consular issues.
Mr Li said that although Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return to their hometown at the end of this year, he promised that “China will soon provide another pair of equally beautiful, lively, cute and young giant pandas to Adelaide Park” [Zoo].
The practice of panda diplomacy (or giving pandas as diplomatic gifts) dates back to the Tang Dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907 AD, and has long been a tool in China’s diplomatic efforts.
China is seeking to increase its influence in the South Pacific, expanding security and economic ties with island nations historically allied to Australia.
This has been a point of tension between the two countries for years, but relations hit a low point in 2020 when former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China.
Beijing’s answer is to impose high tariffs, including on Australian wine.
Mr Li’s Australian hosts also took him to visit a winery during his visit – an apparent reminder that Beijing had only recently lifted wine tariffs.
After Li Keqiang arrived in Adelaide on Saturday, he announced that the diplomatic rift had eased.
He said that “mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation” are the key to Sino-US relations.
But while relations between the two countries appear to be improving since Labor took power in Australia in 2022, differences remain.
These include the removal of remaining trade barriers and the release of jailed Australian democracy blogger Yang Hengjun who was arrested at Guangzhou Airport in 2019.
Li Keqiang will meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday.
Mr. Albanese is expected to bring the case against Mr. Yang, who received a suspended death sentence on espionage charges in February.
As Mr Li pursues trade and panda diplomacy in Australia, Mr Yang’s supporters issued a statement on Sunday saying the Beijing High Court had reviewed and upheld the lower court’s decision.
“Our most pressing concern is that Yang’s condition remains serious and unresolved. […] We urge Prime Minister Albanese to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Li Qiang and directly request Yang to be paroled for medical treatment.”
