In the era of globalization, international trading has become a norm. Take China for example, the nation that once employed closed-door policies, has become one of the world’s largest exporter and importer in recent years.

One of the answer to how China has been able to secure its free trade agreements or resources and technology is… Pandas. Home to the bamboo eating bears, China has loaned out 50 pandas for deals ranging from salmon supply from Scotland to uranium export from Canada, France, and Australia. What started out as a way for China to build up capital in the 80s, has evolved into a relationship building act between nations.

The act of loaning pandas in exchange for goods is made possible due to the limited supply and high demand of pandas. As sole supplier, China is a monopolist that chooses what it wants in exchange for their national treasure. Despite social value being created through the loaning agreements in the forms of conservation funds for the pandas, research opportunities, the question of whether or not this is fair trade still remains. Is China getting the better deal out of these agreements?

http://www.ibtimes.com/china-trading-pandas-uranium-power-nuclear-reactors-1426392

http://www.care2.com/causes/zoos-get-pandas-china-gets-uranium-is-this-a-fair-trade.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html

Image from: http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2013/10/15/panda-cubs.jpg