![50 years of panda diplomacy: the softest power meets the hard reality of US-China tensions | South China Morning Post 50 years of panda diplomacy: the softest power meets the hard reality of US-China tensions | South China Morning Post](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/03/03/c45eb650-94e3-4130-a5c0-ff0e1403f88e_81ae5375.jpg)
50 years of panda diplomacy: the softest power meets the hard reality of US-China tensions | South China Morning Post
![Celebrating 50 Years of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian Institution Celebrating 50 Years of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian Institution](https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/newsdesk/press_releases/25-pan-57-7jc.jpg)
Celebrating 50 Years of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian Institution
![Washington DC, USA. 16th Apr 2022. Photo taken on April 16, 2022 shows giant panda cub "Xiao Qi Ji" (L) and its mother "Mei Xiang" at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, Washington DC, USA. 16th Apr 2022. Photo taken on April 16, 2022 shows giant panda cub "Xiao Qi Ji" (L) and its mother "Mei Xiang" at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2J4NAH9/washington-dc-usa-16th-apr-2022-photo-taken-on-april-16-2022-shows-giant-panda-cub-xiao-qi-ji-l-and-its-mother-mei-xiang-at-smithsonians-national-zoo-in-washington-dc-the-united-states-various-events-were-held-to-mark-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-giant-panda-program-of-the-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute-on-saturday-in-1972-then-chinese-premier-zhou-enlai-gifted-two-giant-pandas-to-the-united-states-as-a-gesture-of-goodwill-following-then-us-president-richard-nixons-groundbreaking-visit-credit-xinhuaalamy-live-news-2J4NAH9.jpg)
Washington DC, USA. 16th Apr 2022. Photo taken on April 16, 2022 shows giant panda cub "Xiao Qi Ji" (L) and its mother "Mei Xiang" at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC,
![The History of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian's National Zoo The History of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian's National Zoo](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/pat-nixon-and-panda-press-release.jpg?itok=SMQ6TZlT×tamp=1647438229)
The History of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian's National Zoo
![Richard Nixon Foundation on Twitter: "Today is #NationalPandaDay, which highlights one of the world's most adored bears. During President Nixon's trip to China in 1972, Pat Nixon so admired the panda bears Richard Nixon Foundation on Twitter: "Today is #NationalPandaDay, which highlights one of the world's most adored bears. During President Nixon's trip to China in 1972, Pat Nixon so admired the panda bears](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ETQ-oHaU4AAwHAq.jpg)