Pandamonium Over Southeast Asia’s First Giant Panda Cub

After seven tries, Singapore’s giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia welcomed their first cub on August 14, 7.50 am. As the first panda cub born in a Southeast Asian country, the birth attracted the delight of many, strengthening Singapore’s bilateral relationship with China.

China’s panda diplomacy is nothing new. This symbolic gesture of goodwill and friendship began in the 1950s and China has since loaned pandas to 20 counties worldwide. Kai Kai and Jia Jia were bestowed to Singapore on a 10-year loan in 2012 after ex-President Hu JinTao’s visit to the country, making Singapore the seventh country to receive this unique gift.

Pandas hold nationalistic significance to China, so receiving the rights to loaning often comes at a cost to the host country. On top of paying US$1 million a year for the privilege of loaning a pair, host countries must meet strict requirements regarding the care and accommodation of the pandas.

On top of the high costs and onerous requirements for hosting pandas, panda breeding is also known to be notoriously difficult. It took Kai Kai and Jia Jia seven years with the support of the country’s best zoologists to succeed, reflecting Singapore’s commendable effort in honoring China’s gift to the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new pressures on China’s panda diplomacy, like the early return of Canada’s pair due to logistical shortages and the decline in global tourism. With the appeal of hosting pandas dwindling, Singapore’s new cub brings about a sense of optimism for China. This feat also reflects positively on Singapore’s ongoing diplomatic relationship with China, one it clearly seeks to navigate delicately.