You can tell a lot about the state of a country’s relationship with China by the pandas.

The fluffy black and white bears are more than just a tourist attraction given on loan to governments around the world.

They are basically diplomats, traditionally posted in foreign countries to strengthen relations.

But in the case of China, what’s given can always be taken away.

This week, Japan has said goodbye to its two remaining Chinese pandas as a diplomatic rift deepens between Tokyo and Beijing.

It means Japan is now without the treasured animals for the first time since relations were established with China in 1972.

And while it might seem largely symbolic to some, the panda departure actually demonstrates a significant crisis in North-East Asian politics that has no resolution on the horizon.

Japan and Beijing’s deteriorating relations

The start of the breakdown came in late 2025 when newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could trigger a military response from her country.

The bold comments crossed what Beijing refers to as a “red line” — that is, outside interference in issues around China’s sovereignty.

China claims the independently governed island as its own territory and has long-held plans to take control of Taiwan.

It continuously pressures governments around the world to steer clear of what it sees as a China-only issue.

In response to Takaichi’s remarks, Beijing went on the offensive, starting with wielding economic pressure.

It cut flights and warned its citizens against travelling to Japan, then banned Japanese products such as seafood under the guise of health and safety.

Next came export controls on “dual-use items”, which are goods, technologies or software that can have both civilian and military applications.

That includes rare earth elements that are essential for making drones and computer chips.

Now, it’s the pandas.

Japan says goodbye to its pandas

Twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were given an emotional farewell viewing before being returned to China this week.

And while the departure of the pair had been part of a long-term plan, Beijing is yet to sign-off on any new contracts to have pandas housed in Japan.

Throughout the spiral, China has been demanding one significant concession from Takaichi: an apology, which she has refused to do.

In fact, her popularity in Japan appears to have been buoyed by her tougher approach to Beijing.

And she’s called a snap election for next month, hoping to capitalise on the growing support.

Crisis with Beijing could have long-term impact

Japan has also been recalibrating its military position during the ongoing furore.

It has announced a massive increase in defence spending and moved away from purely defensive weapons to acquire counterstrike capabilities such as long-range missiles.

All of which has put China even more on edge.

While diplomatic spats between China and Japan are nothing new, this fracture seems to be deepening with each passing week.

On Monday, China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry again claimed Chinese citizens would not be safe in Japan.

Analysts fear the diplomatic tension could escalate into a military conflict if both sides continue to ratchet up their approach.

And it seems both countries are more determined than ever to project strength towards each other — or viewed in another light, an unwavering inability to repair the growing rift.