In a move that has captured the attention of both conservationists and cultural observers, China has sent its endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys to European zoos for the first time, marking a new chapter in the country’s famed tradition of animal diplomacy. These rare primates, whose shaggy orange manes and striking blue faces set them apart from any other species, made their public debut in France and Belgium in 2025. Their arrival is being hailed as a milestone for scientific collaboration and cultural exchange, but it also raises questions about the welfare of animal ambassadors and the broader implications of China’s soft power strategies.
The first group of three golden snub-nosed monkeys arrived at France’s Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan this April, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, according to AP. Just a month later, another trio was welcomed at Belgium’s Pairi Daiza zoo in Hainaut. Both sets of monkeys underwent quarantine periods before being introduced to the public, and zoo officials report that the animals have adapted well to their new environments, showing good health and lively behavior.
At Pairi Daiza, the monkeys—named Liu Yun, Lu Lu, and Juan Juan—now leap among logs, rope ladders, and even traditional Chinese gazebos adorned with red columns and gray-tiled roofs. The zoo distributed Belgian and Chinese hand flags to visitors on the day of their arrival, underscoring the symbolic significance of the event. "The diplomatic aspect comes from this cultural awareness," said Johan Vreys, spokesperson for Pairi Daiza, as quoted by AP. The hope is to build lasting scientific and cultural partnerships between European zoos and Chinese authorities—a goal echoed by Anaïs Maury, communications director for Beauval Zoo, who stated that the zoo is in talks with China to launch joint research and conservation programs “similar to those already in place for other emblematic species like pandas.”
Golden snub-nosed monkeys are among China’s most treasured and endangered animals. Native to the frigid mountains of central and southwestern China—including Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Hubei provinces—they have long held a special place in Chinese culture. Their image appears in traditional paintings and literature, most notably as the Monkey King in the 16th-century epic Journey to the West. According to Elena Songster, an environmental historian at St. Mary’s College of California, both pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys are considered national treasures and cannot be moved out of China without central government approval.
The golden snub-nosed monkeys now living in France and Belgium are the only individuals of their species outside Asia as of 2025, according to both AP and Macau Daily Times. Their debut abroad is reminiscent of China’s earlier panda diplomacy, which began in 1957 when a pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping and Qi Qi, were sent to the Soviet Union to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. In 1972, pandas were sent to the United States following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to Beijing, and by 1984, China had switched from gifting pandas to loaning them on long-term agreements.
These loan agreements, overseen by the China Wildlife Conservation Association, stipulate that part of the annual fee paid by a foreign zoo must support habitat conservation or scientific research. Any offspring born abroad must be returned to China, ensuring that conservation remains at the heart of these exchanges. As Maury of Beauval Zoo explained, the current initiative with golden snub-nosed monkeys is designed to foster not only cultural exchange but also long-term scientific collaboration, mirroring the approach taken with pandas.
Conservation efforts within China have shown remarkable results, particularly at Shennongjia National Park in Hubei province. Since the 1980s, initiatives there have tripled the local population of golden snub-nosed monkeys to around 1,600, according to Yang Jingyuan, president of the Academy of Sciences at the park. This success story is a testament to the impact that dedicated conservation programs, supported by both domestic and international funding, can have on endangered species.
Still, not everyone is convinced that the diplomatic use of animals is entirely positive. Some animal welfare advocates express concern about the stress and potential risks faced by individual animals transported across continents and required to return their offspring to China. Jeff Sebo, an environmental and bioethics researcher at New York University, told Macau Daily Times, “Animal health and welfare matters, not just for geopolitical or strategic aims.” The challenge, as he and others see it, is balancing the broader benefits to the species with the well-being of each animal ambassador.
Yet, the impact of China’s animal diplomacy on its international image is difficult to ignore. James Carter, a historian at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, remarked to AP, “I think pandas are a really useful entryway. Pandas open up an opportunity for people to think something positive about China—they’re cute, they don’t do anything bad.” While golden snub-nosed monkeys may not yet have the global cachet of pandas, Susan Brownell, a China historian at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, sees potential: “China’s golden snub-nosed monkeys aren’t globally iconic yet, but there may be potential for them to be in the future.”
The arrival of these monkeys in European zoos is more than just a diplomatic gesture or a scientific opportunity. It is a carefully orchestrated effort to blend cultural heritage, conservation, and international cooperation. The hope, according to Maury, is that by raising awareness and sharing knowledge, the program will strengthen conservation practices worldwide and inspire new generations to care about the fate of endangered species.
As global tensions continue to simmer, China’s decision to expand its animal diplomacy to include golden snub-nosed monkeys signals a willingness to engage with the world in creative and meaningful ways. Whether these charismatic primates will achieve the same iconic status as pandas remains to be seen, but their journey from the mountains of China to the heart of Europe is already opening new doors for dialogue, research, and mutual understanding.
Ultimately, the golden snub-nosed monkeys now captivating visitors in France and Belgium represent more than just a rare zoological attraction—they are living symbols of the complex interplay between nature, culture, and diplomacy in the 21st century.
