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Editorial: Loving the pandas from afar

Although the Taiwanese government has yet to decide whether to accept China's offer of two giant pandas, Beijing has already named the pair "Tuan-tuan" (團團) and "Yuanyuan" (圓圓), both signifying reunion, in preparation for their delivery to Taiwan. The pair also put on a show as part of China's Lunar New Year television broadcast.

Taiwan has been understandably hesitant over accepting the pandas. At a Council of Agriculture meeting last Friday, the majority of the experts attending believed that the pandas should not be removed from their natural habitat. The council will announce its decision on the pandas on April 3.

The problem does not lie with the pandas per se. They are adorable and hold considerable appeal to the Taiwanese public. The problem is the conditions imposed by Beijing. These pandas are also a souvenir of former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) visit to China last year, and are not a symbol of goodwill intended for all Taiwanese.

This is perfectly clear in the manner the gift is being made. By refusing to present the pandas officially to the government of Taiwan, China seems to be opting for the back door rather than the main gate. Taiwan has little option but to reject a gift given in this manner. If Taiwan accepts the gift of the pandas via an opposition party or private organization, this would set a capitulationist tone for cross-strait relations.

According to international conventions, exporting endangered species is prohibited. But from China's perspective, the matter is simple: If Taiwan is a part of China, export rules simply do not apply. Accepting the pandas would then be tantamount to telling the world that Taiwan accepts the "one China" principle.

If the pandas are nevertheless brought to Taiwan, they will certainly be given a warm welcome, with the public fighting for a glimpse of these creatures at an overcrowded zoo. But politically, the pandas' presence will be a black eye for Taiwan. This is something that the government cannot accept.

Whether the pandas take up residence in Taipei Zoo, Taichung's Takeng Zoo, or the Leofoo Village Theme Park, all are captive environments. They are not a natural habitat for pandas to live and breed in. For the pandas, moving to Taiwan would be a case of killing them with love.

China has lent its pandas to a number of US zoos as a symbol of goodwill. This led to a period of intense public interest in the animals. But now that the excitement has died down, the fees for the loan of the animals have become a burden. The New York Times recently reported that the Atlanta Zoo and three other US zoos are finding the annual US$2 million fees paid for the animals increasingly onerous. Feeding the animals their special diet is also a burden. As a result, the zoos said that they are considering returning the animals to China if they cannot reach some agreement on lowering the fees.

If the pandas are able to overcome the political obstacles that stand in their way, then the Taiwanese public will be able to enjoy the sight of these rare creatures. If not, everyone in Taiwan can still breathe a sigh of relief and wish the pandas a happy life in their natural habitat. There would be a valuable lesson to be learned from that: One does not have to possess something to be able to appreciate it.
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