With their unmistakable shaggy orange manes, pale blue faces, and dense fur, China’s endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys have long captivated those lucky enough to spot them in the wilds of central and southwestern China. Now, for the first time, these rare and charismatic creatures have taken on a new role—as animal diplomats in European zoos, following in the well-trodden pawprints of the country’s famed giant pandas.
This spring, three golden monkeys arrived at France’s Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, their journey marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Just a month later, another trio made their way to Pairi Daiza zoo in Hainaut, Belgium. Both sets of monkeys, on a decade-long loan from the same government group that coordinates China’s panda exchanges, are the only golden snub-nosed monkeys living outside Asia as of October 25, 2025, according to The Associated Press and Devdiscourse.
The arrival of these monkeys was met with fanfare and a sense of occasion. At Pairi Daiza, visitors waved both Belgian and Chinese flags as the monkeys—Liu Yun, Lu Lu, and Juan Juan—settled into their new home, a specially designed enclosure featuring traditional Chinese gazebos with red columns and gray-tiled roofs. The monkeys quickly adapted, spending their days leaping between logs, rope ladders, and even scampering across the tiled rooftops. After a monthlong quarantine, the monkeys made their public debut, and both zoos report that they are in good health, adjusting well to the unfamiliar European climate.
But beyond the adorable antics and photo opportunities lies a deeper diplomatic current. The loan of these monkeys is more than a simple exchange between zoos. It’s a calculated act of what many call "animal diplomacy," echoing the panda diplomacy that has seen China’s black-and-white bears become global icons and symbols of goodwill. The hope, as Anaïs Maury, communications director for Beauval Zoo, told The Associated Press, is to forge "longstanding scientific exchanges between the zoos and Chinese authorities." Beauval Zoo is already in talks with China to launch joint research and conservation programs, aiming to replicate the collaborative successes achieved with pandas.
Golden snub-nosed monkeys, while not yet as globally iconic as pandas, have a rich cultural legacy in China. They appear in countless paintings and as characters in classic literature, most famously as the wily Monkey King in the 16th-century novel "Journey to the West." “China’s golden snub-nosed monkeys aren’t globally iconic yet,” said Susan Brownell, a China historian at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, “but there may be potential for them to be in the future.”
Both golden snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas are classified as endangered and are considered national treasures by China. As Elena Songster, an environmental historian at St. Mary’s College of California, explained to The Associated Press, these animals can only be moved abroad with the express approval of the Chinese central government. This control reflects their status and the strategic value China places on their international presence.
The tradition of animal diplomacy stretches back decades. The original “soft power couple” were giant pandas Ping Ping and Qi Qi, sent to the Soviet Union in 1957 to mark the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. In 1972, following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to Beijing, pandas made their American debut. By 1984, China had shifted from gifting pandas to loaning them, typically for ten years, with strict agreements in place. Under these arrangements, a portion of the annual payments made by overseas zoos is earmarked for habitat conservation or scientific research to benefit the species, according to The Associated Press.
Yet, not everyone is cheering. The practice of transporting animals over long distances—often requiring their offspring to be sent back to China—raises concerns about the welfare of these animal ambassadors. Jeff Sebo, an environmental and bioethics researcher at New York University, cautioned, “Animal health and welfare matters, not just for geopolitical or strategic aims.” The stress of travel and adaptation to new environments can be significant, and critics argue that the needs of individual animals sometimes take a backseat to broader diplomatic objectives.
Within China, golden snub-nosed monkeys inhabit a swath of rugged terrain across Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Hubei provinces. Conservation efforts, particularly at Shennongjia National Park in Hubei, have yielded impressive results. Since the 1980s, the local monkey population has tripled to around 1,600, according to Yang Jingyuan, president of the Academy of Sciences at the park. These gains are a testament to China’s growing commitment to wildlife preservation, but also highlight the delicate balance between showcasing national treasures abroad and ensuring their long-term survival at home.
At Pairi Daiza, the diplomatic aspect of the monkeys’ presence is underscored by cultural symbolism. “The diplomatic aspect comes from this cultural awareness,” said Johan Vreys, a spokesperson for the zoo. The enclosure’s architecture and the festivities surrounding the monkeys’ arrival serve as reminders that these animals are not just biological specimens, but living links to China’s history and identity.
For many observers, the arrival of golden snub-nosed monkeys in Europe represents an exciting opportunity for scientific collaboration. Joint research projects and conservation programs could yield new insights into primate biology, behavior, and habitat needs. These initiatives, if successful, may even pave the way for future exchanges involving other endangered species.
But the broader impact of animal diplomacy remains a subject of debate. James Carter, a China historian at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, offered a measured perspective: “It’s unclear exactly how to evaluate the diplomatic track record of furry ambassadors. Still, in an era of rising global tensions, 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.” The golden snub-nosed monkeys, with their striking appearance and captivating personalities, may one day achieve similar status on the world stage.
As the monkeys settle into their European homes, their presence sparks conversation—not just about conservation and diplomacy, but about the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. Whether they become the next global icons or simply delight visitors with their antics, these golden ambassadors are already making their mark far from the snowy forests of central China.
