Panda Propaganda

From Saturday's Financial Times:

China gift of pandas ‘an insult’ to Taiwan
By Mure Dickie in Beijing and Kathrin Hille in Taipei
Published: January 6 2006 19:10 | Last updated: January 6 2006 19:10

China’s “panda diplomacy” threatened to backfire on Friday after its offer to rival Taiwan of two pandas provoked outrage in the island’s government.

Officials in Taipei accused Beijing of “disrespect” and “pro-unification political warfare” after it announced it would give Taiwan a pair of pandas.

For a year, Beijing has downplayed its threat to use force to back its claim to sovereignty over Taiwan, instead launching policy initiatives intended to appeal to Taiwanese opinion.

Such moves are usually double-edged. The proffered pandas, for example, support China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan because Beijing no longer gives the animals to foreign countries.

The pair, chosen from a pool of 23 candidates, were selected for their cuteness, character and compatibility after a series of genetic tests and trial marriages, Beijing officials said.

But while the Chinese and Taiwanese media indulged in an orgy of coverage, with revelations of the panda’s hobbies, star signs and favourite foods, Taipei reacted with anger.

Joseph Wu, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s cabinet-level China policy body, attacked the mainland propaganda as political warfare.

“They unilaterally announce the pandas will be sent over here in June, without having discussed the matter with Taiwan’s government . . .  That is very disrespectful,” Mr Wu said.

However, many Taiwanese are charmed by the cuddly creatures and opposition parties that support reunification with China have attacked the government as obstinately obstructionist.