The Dragon or the Panda?
As China searches the globe for sustaining energy, questions linger about its tactics
A symbol of unrivalled wisdom and power, China's dragon is a long, scaly, snake-like creature with the paws of a tiger and the claws of an eagle. This chimera is an emblem of ancient imperial power. Indeed, the dynastic emperors were known as dragons.
The revolutions of the 20th century made a break with the past, and the present regime does not think the dragon is a proper symbol of China. Instead, the country's rulers prefer to use the giant panda-that lovable, bamboo-eating member of the bear family-as the national emblem. By tradition a rare and noble creature, the panda has been part of diplomacy since 685 CE, when an emperor of the Tang dynasty sent a pair to his counterpart in Japan.Please login to see the full article. Not a subscriber yet? Subscribe now!
