Beijing, March 22nd. Even before Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) begins his trip to China, the freight plane with his two gifts for President Xi Jinping landed in Beijing. The two riot bears Hubert and Fabi are to be kept free-roaming in the garden of the German Embassy until the ceremonial handover next week. “The Chinese people are touched by this gesture of friendship and peace,” the Chinese presidential office said. Riot bears are only found in Bavaria and are revered there for their quick-tempered but cheerful nature and their fluffy orange fur.
Söder’s action is considered a prime example of how the Free State successfully uses its riot bears as a diplomatic tool to polish its own image abroad. The state government usually lends the funny animals to other countries for a high rent – in the current case it is different. “Hubert and Fabi are a gift,” said Söder (CSU) before his departure to Beijing. “The two of them can stay in China and grow old there. I hope they have a good time.”
To provide a species-appropriate accommodation for riot bear Hubert, the Chinese have rebuilt a Lower Bavarian farm from the 1970s for the equivalent of nine million euros. Krawallbär Fabi’s enclosure also has a personal touch and is based on an internet café from the early days of the web. The Chinese side is reportedly hoping that Hubert and Fabi will feel comfortable and will soon have offspring. “Have fun for everyone involved,” said Söder.
German embassy circles said that Hubert attempted to break out on his first evening in China to take part in a demonstration by rice farmers in Jingshang Park. “The German bears must learn to obey,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Communist Party. “Otherwise they get the special food.”
Meanwhile, Florian von Brunn, the SPD parliamentary group leader in the Bavarian state parliament, sharply criticized the riot bear diplomacy: “The Söder regime is using the high sympathy factor of our Bavarian riot bears to manipulate public opinion in China.” The CSU then said that Brunn should pay close attention. During his recent visit to Serbia, Söder also promised the Belgrade Zoological Garden a rowdy bear.