Behind Panda Diplomacy: How China Uses Wildlife to Advance Global Influence While Undermining National Sovereignty

At first glance, a visit by French First Lady Brigitte Macron to a giant panda named Yuan Meng might seem like a simple gesture of goodwill and wildlife camaraderie. Yet, beneath the surface lies a calculated display in China’s enduring strategy of “panda diplomacy” — an effort that demands scrutiny through an America First lens. How Much Is a Panda Worth? The Hidden Price of Beijing’s Wildlife Diplomatic Gambit Yuan Meng, born in France but legally owned by the Chinese government, now resides at a panda breeding center in Chengdu after being sent back in 2023. This transfer is more...