【明報專訊】A rare ibis (朱��) gifted to Japan by China as a symbol of friendship last year has laid an egg for the first time, which is exciting news to the Japanese citizens. In fact, animals are often regarded as ambassadors of the country, and they bear diplomatic meanings as well.

For more than half a century, China has offered giant pandas as gifts to signify the closeness of political ties between countries, which has led to the use of the phase "panda diplomacy". China has given giant pandas to a number of countries including the US, the UK, Japan, Germany, etc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (普京) is a well-known dog lover. He often receives dogs as gifts from other countries. Japan gave him a female Akita (秋田犬) named Yume in 2012. The gesture was meant as an official thank-you for Russia's help after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. However, he rejected the Japanese government's idea of sending him a second Akita in 2016.

sources: Ming Pao

■Game

Putin (right) likes playing with his dog Yume. Can you spot four differences between the pictures?

■English highway﹕lay

Pay attention to the verb form of "lay".

lay / laid (past tense) / laid (past participle)

e.g. The hens did not lay any eggs.

She laid her hand on my shoulder.

■Quiz

1. "Panda diplomacy" refers to:

A. China gives pandas to other countries.

B. China exchanges pandas with other countries.

C. China receives pandas from other countries.

D. None of the above.

2. What animal does Putin like?

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

symbol (n) 象徵

ambassador (n) 大使

diplomatic (adj) 外交的

political ties (n) 政治聯繫

[Smarties' Power English 第245期]