Crossword Genius

What makes dad a native of China? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

panda

'native of china?' is the definition.
(I know that panda endemic to People\\u0027s Republic of China)

'what makes dad a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'dad' could be 'pa' (both can mean one's father) and 'pa' is present in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

(Other definitions for panda that I've seen before include "One reluctant to mate" , "Threatened mammal" , "Bearcat" , "Black-eyed animal" , "WWF symbol" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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