Yeah, that Panda is a leftover from better times when China gave them as diplomatic gifts. Its the offspring of 2 Pandas that were originally given to mexico before the 1980's when China stopped gifting and started the lending thing.

There are 2 more, that are not considered a loan, in Taiwan. But they are more a "F*ck your independence, you belong to us anyways"-gifts with the Chinese arguing that it was an inner country transfer and not a gesture to a foreign nation.

Nevertheless, all Pandas outside of China have been political pawns for the Chinese government including Xin Xin in Mexico.

[–] nossaquesapao@lemmy.eco.br 12 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I've seen some recent news about China gifting Brazil a panda in a diplomatic move. So, they don't own all pandas, or wasn't it really a gift?

[–] alcoholicorn@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It might have been on loan, but described as a gift as there's limited numbers they loan out.

Part of the reasoning for the loan system is that there's a limited number, and the terms of the loan allows China to take them back in the event the zoo fails to care for them appropriately, which happens with depressing regularity.

[–] norimee@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago

They are given as a loan. The Wikipedia page about Panda diplomacy someone else linked is quite interesting and explains it all.

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 8 points 1 month ago

Gifting the temporary use of the panda