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Give China credit for pandas’ recovery

China’s brutality in punishing crimimals makes it easier for the government to enforce its will, of course. Still, Beijing deserves credit for a striking achievement in conservation.

The giant panda, native to China, no longer is an endangered species, an international conservation group has determined. It remains “vulnerable,” but not at as much risk as a few years ago.

Just 1,596 pandas could be found in China in 2004. In a decade, the number jumped to 1,864, because of Chinese efforts to curb poaching and expand habitats. Giant pandas still are in danger, but thanks to Beijing, they have a fighting chance.

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