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ABSTRACT
The rise of modern natural history has changed the way Westerners see nature, and the generation and popularity of biological knowledge of species have caused transnational chain effects of commercial, ecological, and political nature. Giant pandas, a new species “reconstructed” after the rise of natural history, have attracted the attention of the Western public, and natural history institutions’ demand for exhibition has led to the commercialization of giant pandas. When large-scale hunting of giant pandas impacted the species, the Nationalist government shifted its focus from regulating foreigners to protecting a species: it became illegal for foreigners to hunt giant pandas in China. When the buying and selling of giant pandas was prohibited, European and US-American zoos requested that the Chinese government send giant pandas as gifts; hence the Nationalist government recognized the special role of giant pandas, and “panda diplomacy” began to emerge. Controlled species exchange also helped protect this species. Since natural history became a popular subject in the world, China’s wild animals became globally known as important “messengers” in China’s communication exchanges with the rest of the world.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Glossary
dongbeihu 东北虎
Dong Xianguang 董显光
Guo Youshou 郭有守
Hengduan 横断
Ma De 马德
milu 麋鹿
Muping 穆坪
Sichuan 四川
Su Lin 苏琳
Wang Jiaji 王家楫
Wasi 瓦寺
Wenchuan 汶川
Xie Peiyun 谢培筠
Xikang 西康
Ye Gongchao 叶公超
Zeng Xubai 曾虚白
Zhu Jiahua 朱家骅
Zhu Shide 祝世德
zhuxiong 竹熊
Notes
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2 Wenzhi jilüe, vol. 3, 19; and Liuba ting zhi, vol. 1, 27.
3 Liuba ting zhi, vol. 1, 27.
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6 David, and Fox, Abbé David’s Diary, 283.
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20 “Live Giant Pandas Leave Hong Kong for London,” 334.
21 “Xikang jiansheng weiyuanhui zhi neizhengbu han” [Letter of the Xikang Provincial Construction Committee], November 22, 1938, Neizhengbu dang’an [Archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs], file no. 026000003572A.
22 “Sichuan sheng zhengfu zi waijiaobu” [Letter of the Sichuan Provincial Government to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs], Apr. 3, 1939, Waijiaobu dang’an [Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs], file no. 020–049910-0007.
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44 Shi Ming, “Ji Xiongmao,” 224.
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47 “Wang Jiaji zhi Zhu Jiahua han” [Letter of Wang Jiaji to Zhu Jiahua], June 18, 1946, Zhongyang yajiuyuan dang’an [Archives of Academia Sinica], file no. 392 (2)/151.
48 Pratt, Imperial Eyes.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Hong JIANG
JIANG Hong is a lecturer at the Historical Culture and Tourism College, Sichuan Normal University. His research focuses on modern and contemporary Chinese environmental history and the animal history. His major publications include “Chuan shan diqu yesheng dongwu ziyuan de liyong yu baohu (1949-1962) [Utilization and Protection of Wild Animal Resources in Sichuan and Shaanxi, 1949–1962]” (Zhonggong dangshi yanjiu [CPC History Studies], no. 2 (2020): 104-117) and “Kexue, shangye yu zhengzhi: Zouxiang shijie de Zhongguo daxiongmao (1869-1948) [Science, Commerce and Politics: China’s Giant Pandas Going Global, 1869–1948]” (Jindaishi yanjiu [Modern Chinese History Studies], no. 1 (2021): 74-89).