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China's panda gift aggravates Belgian tensions China's panda gift aggravates Belgian tensions
(6 days later)
The giant panda has long been used as a diplomatic peace offering in international relations, from Mao Zedong's gift of a pair to the US in 1972 after Richard Nixon's historic visit, to Beijing's offering to Taiwan in 2008. But it seems that not even a pair of furry goodwill ambassadors could thaw Belgium's linguistic and political divide between northern Flemish-speaking Flanders and southern French-speaking Wallonia.The giant panda has long been used as a diplomatic peace offering in international relations, from Mao Zedong's gift of a pair to the US in 1972 after Richard Nixon's historic visit, to Beijing's offering to Taiwan in 2008. But it seems that not even a pair of furry goodwill ambassadors could thaw Belgium's linguistic and political divide between northern Flemish-speaking Flanders and southern French-speaking Wallonia.
The imminent arrival of two giant pandas at a Belgian zoo has prompted a political spat over which side of the divide should get the bears. The four-year-old Shining Star and his female friend Nice now find themselves in the middle of what Belgian media have dubbed "Pandagate".The imminent arrival of two giant pandas at a Belgian zoo has prompted a political spat over which side of the divide should get the bears. The four-year-old Shining Star and his female friend Nice now find themselves in the middle of what Belgian media have dubbed "Pandagate".
The premier of Flanders, Kris Peeters, demanded the government provide an explanation over why the bears were being sent to the private zoo in Wallonia and not the historic Antwerp zoo in Flanders. Antwerp zoo expressed its disappointment and "indignation".The premier of Flanders, Kris Peeters, demanded the government provide an explanation over why the bears were being sent to the private zoo in Wallonia and not the historic Antwerp zoo in Flanders. Antwerp zoo expressed its disappointment and "indignation".
Flanders politicians accused the Socialist prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, a former mayor of the French-speaking city of Mons, not far from the chosen zoo, of partiality in his recent talks with the Chinese government, during which the pandas' arrival was announced. The separatist New Flemish Alliance party also waded in, accusing Di Rupo of favouritism.Flanders politicians accused the Socialist prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, a former mayor of the French-speaking city of Mons, not far from the chosen zoo, of partiality in his recent talks with the Chinese government, during which the pandas' arrival was announced. The separatist New Flemish Alliance party also waded in, accusing Di Rupo of favouritism.
Di Rupo insisted on the "professionalism" of the chosen zoo's application and said there was no controversy. During his visit to China, Di Rupo told the Belga news agency: "The arrival of these two pandas is an honour for Belgium and underlines the trust between our two nations."Di Rupo insisted on the "professionalism" of the chosen zoo's application and said there was no controversy. During his visit to China, Di Rupo told the Belga news agency: "The arrival of these two pandas is an honour for Belgium and underlines the trust between our two nations."
The pandas will arrive in spring 2014.The pandas will arrive in spring 2014.
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