Advertisement
Pandas
AsiaDiplomacy

As Germany debates calling its panda twins Hong and Kong, just how do pandas get named?

  • Panda twins born in Berlin’s zoo have sparked a national debate on China, with calls to name them in recognition of the ongoing protests
  • The pandas are on loan from the Chinese government, which will most likely have the final say on the names

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Male giant panda Jiao Qing, the father of the newborn twins. Photo: AFP
Crystal Tai
Berlin zoo’s newborn twin panda cubs have attracted a fair deal of attention this week – not so much for their cuteness and for being the first pandas to be born in Germany, but for the naming controversy they are inadvertently embroiled in.
Advertisement
German media suggested the pair – born to Meng Meng, a six-year old panda currently on loan to Germany by China – be named “Hong” and “Kong”, in recognition of the ongoing protests in the city and in criticism of the mainland government.

The suggestions drew a wide range of reactions on social media platforms. “The top result is Hong and Kong, followed by Yin and Yang, Ping and Pong. Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were also suggested,” wrote Twitter user Anthony Yau.

“Can China accept it?” tweeted Chinese journalist and CEO of Caixin Globus Michael Anti in response to the names Hong and Kong.

“Renting pandas for profit is a bit disgusting in the first place, but naming them Hong & Kong would be a cool move indeed,” posted Twitter user Holger Bartel, before adding: “And a huge diplomatic crisis I guess.”

Advertisement

According to The Guardian, the baby pandas technically belong to China, which will likely have the final say on the names and will probably take the pandas back to the country when they are around three or four years old.

Advertisement