Chinese nationals

Two giant pandas have arrived in the United States, reviving a long-running symbol of Chinese 'panda diplomacy' that Beijing uses to warm ties with foreign countries. The animals' arrival follows a pause in panda loans between the two nations, and observers see their transfer as a gesture of goodwill amid strained US-China relations.

China is preparing to send a Pakistani astronaut into orbit, the first time a foreign national from Pakistan will fly on a Chinese space mission. The move is being described as space diplomacy, underlining Beijing's effort to deepen ties with Islamabad and showcase its space programme internationally, following cooperation under the China-Pakistan relationship.

The Financial Times reports that Nicaragua, one of Central America's most gold-rich countries, has granted Chinese mining companies concessions covering roughly a tenth of its national territory. The arrangement highlights growing Chinese economic influence in the region under the government of Daniel Ortega, and is drawing scrutiny over sovereignty, environmental impact and the terms offered to foreign firms.