China-U.S. Relations Continue To Strain; CCP Wants Panda Back

Since 1972, when Beijing presented two pandas to Richard Nixon, the president of the United States, the city has engaged in "panda diplomacy." Pandas are now on loan to 18 other nations from China, the only place where they can be found living in the wild.

Expert in geopolitics Matthew Fraser said Beijing often uses panda loans to build goodwill or support a trade agreement. He said earlier this month to the New York Times that "when China takes back a panda, it is usually because the regime is very displeased for some reason."

Washington and Beijing's relationship is still tight because of Taiwan. The island is seen as a province that broke away from China and is now a part of its independent territory. Although the US has maintained its informal connections with Taipei, it acknowledges Beijing's 'One China' policy internationally.