Trump fails to disrupt 'panda diplomacy' as China's famed bears remain at US zoo

The Smithsonian national zoo's three giant pandas will stay in Washington for another three years, upholding a decades-long tradition

Donald Trump may have done his best to disrupt Washington's relations with Beijing, but at least Americans will still be able to enjoy the original bonus of more open links with China: giant pandas.

Ever since Richard Nixon welcomed the gift of the animals when he opened up" China in the early 70s, panda diplomacy has loomed large in relations between the two countries.