Panda Style Irks Chinese

Exhibition may spark a law against images of the friendly bear
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2007 8:04 AM CST
Panda Style Irks Chinese
A model shows off the "Bandi Panda" creation by designer Zhao Bandi during the China Fashion Week in Beijing, China, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)   (Associated Press)

Chinese officials are so upset over panda fashions that they're vowing a new law against images of the bears, the Times reports. Fashion designer Zhao Bandi sparked their ire during China Fashion Week in Chengdu by dressing models in black and white teddies with fluffy ears. Now officials in the city—where most of China's test-tube pandas are born—may ban all images of the friendly symbol.

Zhao expressed surprise over the reaction and claimed he had "no intention of making fun of pandas. I am a fan of pandas." A rare public survey almost supports him, as 45% opposed the panda-censorship law, and only 47% were in favor. But one official still vowed "to accelerate the drafting of legislation" after “Zhao’s commercial stunt." (More China stories.)

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