Premier League Of World Series, China, Chinese State Forestry Department discussed on Monocle 24: The Briefing

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That it's not gift giving anymore. It's the sort of lease model in it and it's done within the context of international conservation and endangered species conservation. That's how it's allowed if you like internationally. So all pandas are part of captive breeding programs. And those captive breeding programs, they happen in zoos. So what seems to happen is that a number of zoos around the world would like to have a panda exhibit. And that in some ways puts the zoos in a sort of Premier League of World Series. But if you'd like to ask for a panda, you first of all have to build relationships in these international networks of panda keeping, of which, of course, the Chinese state forestry department, they manage the Wu long breeding center, they're very influential in it. But the panda is a national treasure, so it's classified as a state national treasure in China. That means they can only be allowed to go out of China with the approval of the Politburo. Now, of course, the highest level of decision making in China. They have a pretty busy agenda. So what seems to happen is that when there is a major trade deal going on between one country and China, the zoo in the western country or also ASEAN countries as well or Australia. That gives them an opportunity for the zoo and the state forestry department to recommend to the Politburo as part of their bigger agenda of talking about this trade deal to recommend that this zoo gets a panda. It's quite regulated. It goes to quite a high level, but you almost need that window of opportunity associated with the trade deal to do it. And then of course, then as this happens, they sort of other side of it. It's a nice seal of approval. It's a symbol of that trade deal because the panda comes over or it's announced that it's coming over the politicians usually get involved in that. And it's sort of symbolizes long-term friendly relationship. We are at least in the Chinese mind that the recipient country is going to host a living national treasure of China. When you put it like that, that's quite significant. That was the doctor Paul Gibson speaking to Monaco Sunday Muller, you can listen to the conversation in full by tuning into the latest addition of the foreign desk and that's all for this edition of the briefing. It was produced by Tom Webb and our studio manager will snore a Huell. The briefing is back tomorrow at the same time at midday here in London 7 a.m. in New York City. I am Marcos hippie, goodbye and thanks for listening.

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