The giant panda is a black-and-white mammal that originates from China. This cute creature is adored all over the world because it looks like a teddy bear.
Pandas became known in the West for the first time in 1869 thanks to the French missionary and naturalist Armand David.
The animal has actually become a tool for establishing China’s relations with foreign countries. By renting pandas for zoos. However, such diplomacy was first used by Empress Wu Zetian during the reign of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. The Empress gave two pandas to the Japanese emperor as a gift.
In the early seventies, China begins cultural exchange with the West. Pandas arrive in the USA, Japan, France, Great Britain, Germany and Mexico.
However, since 1984, such diplomacy has ceased to be resorted to. Instead, foreign countries can only rent them for 10 years for $ 1 million. At the end of the period, pandas return home. Besides, according to the provisions of the agreement, all the cubs born during this period remain the property of the People’s Republic of China.
Despite a very expensive rent, this deal quickly pays off, because a black and white bear in the zoo certainly increases the number of visitors.