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The Politics of Pandas: Financial Times Asia Editor Jamil Anderlini Speaks at Formal Hall

14September2017

The first formal hall of the term was held on 13 September. Morningside was happy to welcome back Jamil Anderlini, Asia Editor for the Financial Times, who was our Distinguished Visitor in 2013. For his second visit to Morningside, Anderlini gave a talk on “Panda Diplomacy: The Tale of a Very Political Animal”.  

 

Anderlini admitted for the past few months he has been obsessed with pandas. He is writing an article on how pandas are the best representation of China’s soft power, and how the Chinese government uses pandas to exert political and cultural influence. In his speech, he explained that while many see pandas as cute, lovable animals worthy of conservation, the exchange of pandas between China and other nations is laden with symbolism. Panda exchanges reportedly began in the seventh century with Empress Wu Zetian, who gifted a pair of pandas to Japan, and are still used today to seal important trade deals and alliances. Anderlini’s engaging talk ended with a reminder that while the population of captive pandas is steadily increasing, threats to their natural environment mean their future in the wilds of Sichuan is far from certain.

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