Ocean Park staff hold up signs and wear panda headgear to welcome the arrival of the third pair of giant pandas An An and Ke Ke gifted by the central government to Hong Kong on Sept 26, 2024. - Photo provided to China Daily
HONG KONG: A pair of giant pandas presented as gifts to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the central government will greet the public at Ocean Park on Dec 8, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on social media on Wednesday (Nov 27).
The national treasures, currently called An An and Ke Ke, will have their new names revealed a day before a special ceremony to be held at the theme park.
“I’m delighted that Ocean Park and the SAR government will host a panda debut ceremony on Dec 7. The pandas will officially meet the public the next day,” Lee said.
Special visits by various groups have been arranged to help the bears acclimatize to large numbers of visitors in their habitat, a government statement said.
The visits, arranged by Ocean Park, include grassroots residents, students, and representatives of the education sector, the park’s sponsors and partners.
The six giant pandas now in the SAR will serve as global ambassadors to promote the city’s tourism, the government said, adding that a series of promotional activities have been planned with the aim of creating a joyful and welcoming atmosphere for the pandas.
“The government will continue to seize the opportunities presented by the giant pandas and work with all sectors of society to actively organise more promotional activities related to the pandas, creating business opportunities for various stakeholders and driving economic growth,” it said.
The two adult pandas arrived in Hong Kong from Sichuan province on Sept 26 as gifts from the central government to commemorate the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland this year.
The duo have since undergone adaptation training under quarantine at Ocean Park, which serves as both an oceanarium and a conservation center for various species.
During a recent visit to the park, Lee, accompanied by his wife and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, said he noted that both pandas are healthy and energetic as they adapt themselves to their new home.
Ocean Park has so far received 3,000 drawings and more than 22,600 suggested names for the pandas as part of a competition organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Ocean Park.
Lee said the level of participation has shown the public’s deep affection for the national treasures.
Accompanying Lee’s social media post was video footage featuring An An, the male panda, exploring his enclosure in search of bamboo, a sight Lee described as “peacefully at ease”.
Meanwhile, the female bear, Ke Ke, appeared more composed during the visit. Lee described her as “virtuous and benevolent”.
With the arrival of An An and Ke Ke, Ocean Park now houses six giant pandas, including Ying Ying and Le Le, who were given to the SAR in 2007, as well as their recent offspring -- the first locally-born panda cubs.
Over the weekend, the park celebrated the 100-day birthday of the twin pandas, drawing large crowds of visitors carrying panda-themed toys.
To mark the occasion, the park has introduced panda-themed merchandise, including porcelain decorations, accessories and desserts.
One enthusiastic visitor commented on the park’s Facebook page: “I haven’t been to Ocean Park for more than a decade. With the two little kids, I’ll definitely go there at least once next year”. - China Daily/ANN
