Deer Diplomacy: Taiwan Proposes Peace Offering of Sika Deer to Mainland China Amid Tensions

Taiwan's exchange organization proposes using wildlife as diplomats to calm relations with mainland China

The Straits Exchange Foundation considers dispatching two sika deer to serve as a gesture of goodwill after significant military exercises by the PLA near the island.

The quasi-governmental Taiwanese organization tasked with communications with mainland China has proposed the idea of sending two deer across the Taiwan Strait as a gesture of goodwill.

Luo Wen-jia, the Secretary General of the Straits Exchange Foundation, mentioned that the organization is contemplating the idea of giving a zoo on the mainland a couple of Sika deer called He He and Ping Ping. These names are derived from the term "he ping," which translates to peace.

"Luo informed the Taiwanese press that efforts are underway in collaboration with the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, the counterpart organization on the mainland, to establish communication with the zoo in Fuzhou city."

He made his remarks while on a trip to Daiqu, a deserted island under Taiwanese control, situated just a few kilometers off the coast, famous for its population of sika deer.

The proposal is made during a period of deteriorating relations between the straits and comes after the People’s Liberation Army conducted major blockade exercises on Monday, intended as a strong warning against the separatist activities of Taiwanese independence groups.

The drill came after Taiwanese leader William Ching-te delivered a bold address last Thursday, stating that Beijing lacks any legitimate power to represent the island.