SD leetle seesterrrr said...

"yes, certainly this is an innovative use for pandas--political tools in cross-straight relations-- what will the Chinese do next?? thank you pandologists for your ever-so-sharp observations!"

Don't be a hater just cuz my panda cub is cuter than your panda cub:
Su Lin (left) v. Tai Shan (right)


And speaking of politics, here's an update.

Taiwan's Abundance of Caution
"The council said that it would seek the opinion of conservationists and other experts, and would not be influenced by political considerations during their decision-making process. The final decision on whether to approve the pandas' entry will be announced by March 23."


Maybe if China can't work things out, Oakland can have Taiwan's pandas (In which case, this C.P. is definitely moving to CA...)

"Zoo director Joel Parrott said the remaining steps are smaller and easier to accomplish. The zoo needs to conduct financial planning documents, create a business plan and apply for export permits from China and import permits from the United States. The zoo also must build a panda exhibit.... "We are optimistic we can achieve it," Parrott said. "It is still a large hill, but it isn't the mountain that it was."