For anyone starting to learn Mandarin online or studying with an online Chinese teacher, it’s hard not to fall in love with one of the most iconic creatures in Chinese culture: the panda. Known in Chinese as 熊猫 (xióngmāo), this gentle black-and-white animal has become a symbol of peace, conservation, and even international relations. But let’s begin with the name—because calling a panda a "bear-cat" is both endearing and puzzling.
The character 熊 (xióng) simply means “bear,” and that makes immediate sense. Taxonomically, the giant panda belongs to the bear family, and anyone who has seen one amble clumsily around a bamboo forest will understand the “bear” part. But then comes 猫 (māo)—“cat.” Why would such a bulky, bamboo-eating creature be associated with cats?
Historians and linguists suggest that the name may have come from the cat-like features of the panda, particularly its distinctive eye patches that resemble the almond-shaped eyes of felines. Others point to the red panda (小熊猫 xiǎo xióngmāo)—a smaller, raccoon-like animal with cat-like agility—which was known to science before the giant panda. It’s possible that the giant panda was named in relation to the red panda, even though they’re not closely related. Whatever the origin, the “bear-cat” moniker has stuck and now affectionately represents one of China's most treasured animals.
But pandas are more than cute animals in Chinese zoos and viral videos—they’re key players in global diplomacy. This began most notably in the 20th century, when the Chinese government used pandas as political gifts to strengthen foreign relations. The practice became known as “panda diplomacy” (熊猫外交 xióngmāo wàijiāo).
One of the most famous instances was in 1972, when China gifted Ling-Ling (玲玲) and Hsing-Hsing (兴兴) to the United States after President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China. The arrival of these two pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., was met with public fanfare, and they quickly became beloved national celebrities. In the same period, pandas were also sent to Japan, France, and the United Kingdom, each time symbolizing a warming of diplomatic ties.
Over time, the policy shifted: instead of gifting pandas, China began loaning them, often under long-term breeding and research agreements. These arrangements typically include a substantial fee and the stipulation that any cubs born abroad still belong to China and must eventually return. For example, Tuan Tuan (团团) and Yuan Yuan (圆圆) were sent to Taiwan in 2008, symbolizing unity and goodwill. Their names together mean “reunion” (团圆 tuányuán), a carefully chosen gesture of cross-strait sentiment.
This rich interplay between animal symbolism, language, and international politics is just one reason why studying Chinese can be so rewarding. At GoEast Mandarin, students explore the cultural layers behind every phrase. With in-person programs in Shanghai and also online, a journey starts that makes Chinese not just understandable but deeply meaningful.
Today, pandas continue to represent gentle strength, peace, and environmental responsibility. They also pop up constantly in Chinese pop culture, internet slang, and even metaphors. For instance, someone might jokingly call themselves a “国宝 (guóbǎo)”, meaning “national treasure,” if they feel especially treasured or lazy—just like a panda lounging for hours. Others refer to introverted homebodies as “like pandas”—rarely spotted outside and always snacking.
So the next time you hear the word 熊猫, you’re not just talking about a cuddly animal—you’re referencing a powerful symbol, a piece of international history, and one of the most charming quirks of the Chinese language. Whether you’re in Beijing, Boston, or browsing a livestream of pandas in Chengdu, “bear-cat” is a name that keeps carrying meaning, far beyond bamboo forests.
