They call it "panda diplomacy". China gifts Singapore a pair of the rare endangered creatures. In exchange, Singapore makes sure Falun Gong supporters are kept off the streets during this week's Apec meetings.Well, this case of panda diplomacy might not have been quite so crudely expedient. But it is not that far off.
Ostensibly, Wednesday's announcement of the pending delivery of the furry envoys is to mark the 20th anniversary of Singapore-Sino relations.
But China would have carefully noted this year's hosts of Apec had made a point of cracking down in advance on the religious sect which has become a high-profile voice of dissent against the Communist regime.
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