Fubao sensation and China's panda diplomacy

슈퍼스타 된 용인 푸씨 푸바오 열풍으로 보는 중국의 판다외교
A three-year-old giant panda living at Everland, Korea's largest amusement park, has become a superstar, with videos of her on RUclips having gone viral.
But "Fubao" isn't just an adorable panda.
She's part of the Chinese government's efforts to foster friendly relations through pandas.
Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin takes a look into Beijing's panda diplomacy.
Black eyes and ears surrounded by a white coat of fur.
Fubao, the giant panda, has captured the hearts of people in Korea.
It's a regular weekday morning, but minutes after Everland opens its gates, it's packed with people.
"When I watch videos of Fubao, she's absolutely adorable and charming."
"I feel a deeper affection for her because she's the first panda ever to be born in Korea. "
This year, the craze around this 3-year-old panda reached new heights when her zookeeper revealed in May that she'll have to move to China next year.
After the news, the average number of daily visitors to Everland during the last week of May rose 20-percent when compared to the first week.
For Fubao's zookeeper try-out program, more than 13,000 people applied for three available spots.
But why does Fubao have to go to China?
That's because all pandas and their offspring legally belong to Beijing.
China has been long using pandas as a diplomatic tool.
"Panda diplomacy began in 1972 when then-Chinese President Mao Zedong gifted two pandas to the U.S. after President Nixon's visit to Beijing.
Their cuteness sparked a worldwide demand, prompting China to loan pandas to other countries as a way to foster friendly relations."
Current Chinese President Xi Jinping sent Fubao's parents, Aibao and Lebao to Korea in 2016, when bilateral ties were relatively stable.
With the recent strain in relations, some wonder whether Fubao could come to the rescue.
China's Ambassador to Korea, Xing Haiming, visited Everland and presented a thank-you plaque on Fubao's third birthday.
This was after his previous controversial remarks about China's rivalry with the U.S., which seemingly targeted the Korean government.
"Koreans' affection towards pandas can positively influence their perception of China.
Everland's panda videos are going viral on Chinese social media platforms.
This could lead to new civilian exchanges and public diplomacy programs, ultimately influencing political and diplomatic relations too."
With negotiations for Fubao's return set to start next month, all eyes are on what decision will be made and how that'll affect Seoul-Beijing ties.
Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
#Fubao #China #panda_diplomacy #panda #giant_panda #Everland #natural_pregnancy #Chinese_government #friendly_relations #diplomatic_tool #Xing_Haiming #superstar #푸바오 #판다외교 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스
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2023-07-28, 21:00 (KST)

[@ting-ting7001]

Save Fubao!!!!!!

[@경희유-o7p]

Please help my Fu Bao.. ㅜㅜ My lovely child has suffered something unimaginable.. I believe that unethical behavior should not be done to living things in this world, be they humans, animals, or plants.. Please sign and join us.. ㅜㅜ
Please help us..
#savefubao

[@gracewangsingapore]

Don’t become too crazy and obsessed over an animal just because you can’t have her, you start crying and worrying like crazy. Just trust her new caretakers, and move on.

[@Kola833]

After China has modified their behaviour and habitat,you think the panda can survive in the wild?!?

[@sepilokfui]

all pandas supposed to return to the wild and panda reaches adulthood at the 4th birthday meaning they would want to mate. that is why they need to be sent back.