Panda diplomacy - Literally soft power?

Abstract: This thesis focuses on panda diplomacy as a part of Chinese interest in soft power and its public diplomacy. The main purpose is to examine the role of the panda in Chinese foreign affairs. A previous research chapter is mapped out to understand the domestic discussion on soft power and the state of public diplomacy in Chinese foreign affairs. Pandas and the concept of panda diplomacy is then examined from an empirical perspective in different ways they are being used, concluding that pandas and their popularity makes them a unique and powerful source of soft power. Panda diplomacy is further analyzed in three different contexts: Nordic countries, in the US and Japan, and in Taiwan, the conclusion is that countries must both have a good relationship with China and be of economic interest. In the analysis, the previous chapters are analyzed from Gilboa’s framework for analyzing public diplomacy. Concluding that the uniqueness and strongly emphasized ties to China makes it an effective measure of drawing attention from other domestic issues, as well as generally being a good way of engaging the public which thereby makes it a useful and utilized tool of public diplomacy.