Pandas as Trojan Horses

On a much lighter note, the LA Times has an update on just one of many sources of tension in the China-Taiwan relationship: pandas. China has been offering the pandas as a goodwill gift to Taiwan, but Taiwan’s pro-independence government won’t take them, suggesting an acceptance would be a “Trojan Horse” reducing Taiwan’s psychological defenses. China has been playing up this issue to try to make the pro-independence government seem unreasonable.



There is actually a semi-real legal issue here. Taiwan is insisting that any delivery of pandas comply with the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Of course, Taiwan is not a party to that treaty, but under Article X, a state party like China must still comply with the treaty when trading with non-state parties (like Taiwan, maybe).



The treaty essentially requires states to regulate trade in endangered species through a system of import and export permits. Although pandas are undoubtedly endangered, with only 1000 known to be living, the treaty doesn’t (as far as I can tell) impose any obligations or restrictions on the domestic trade of endangered species. So I’m sure China will stay away from this treaty and simply keep up the Panda PR offensive. With 70% of Taiwanese saying they want the pandas, I think the pandas (at least one of whom is named Tuan Tuan, or “re-union, re-union”) will eventually make their way to Taiwan.