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Willa Wu

Hong Kong will hold a citywide contest next month to name two giant pandas gifted by Beijing before they meet the public in December, the chief executive has said.
City leader John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Tuesday the pair would need 30 days of quarantine upon their arrival and another month to adapt to the new environment. Confirming reports by the Post, the bears – known as An An and Ke Ke in Sichuan province – will arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday.
“The two pandas are highly anticipated by the entire city … To welcome them, we will hold a citywide naming contest in October, inviting the public to provide meaningful names that can illustrate their features,” Lee said before a meeting with advisers from the Executive Council.


He added that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau would also hold a drawing contest for residents to portray the “adorable” pandas with brushes.
Beijing gifted the two pandas to Hong Kong on July 1 to mark the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty.
Lee said the male panda, An An, weighed more than 130kg (287lbs) and had a strong body, agile movements and a clever mind, while the female, Ke Ke, weighed 100kg and was gentle and cute.
The duo will land in the city on Thursday, with a welcoming ceremony set to be officiated by No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki at Hong Kong International Airport.
They then will be transported to Ocean Park’s Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, where two pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, also gifted to the city by Beijing, lived.
Lee said that the new bears were expected to greet the public in mid-December after quarantine and getting familiar with the environment.
He noted Ocean Park had completed the first stage of preparations for the pair’s new habitat, including putting in climbing frames and plants. The theme park would also upgrade supervision systems and install machines to create artificial snow.
Residents could get updated information about the coming bears through designated web pages of Discover Hong Kong and Ocean Park, Lee said.
“I encourage all social sectors to seize the opportunity and create more business by launching panda-related products to boost local consumption,” said Lee.
With the arrival of the two new bears on Thursday, the number of pandas living in Ocean Park will grow to six after Ying Ying gave birth to a pair of twins last month.

Lee said the twin cubs born locally would debut in early 2025, adding a similar naming contest would be held for them as they grew up and showed more characteristics.
“I’ve asked Ocean Park to maintain close communication with experts and seek their advice so that the pandas can meet the public as soon as possible early next year,” he said.
The cubs have started to get a little heavier after reaching five weeks of age, with their weight increasing by more than seven times.
According to Ocean Park, “Elder Sister” now weighs 910 grams, up from her birthweight of 122 grams, while “Little Brother” has gone from 112 to 814 grams.


Hong Kong to hold naming contest for 2 new giant pandas in October, John Lee says

Hong Kong to create panel to name giant pandas being gifted to city by Beijing

Elite police motorcyclists to escort 2 new giant pandas from Hong Kong airport to Ocean Park

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cubs put on healthy weight at 5-week mark

Hong Kong’s pandas

Ke Ke (left) and An An. Photo: Handout

 Ocean Park has released new photos of Ke Ke and An An (below). Photos: Ocean Park

Tourists visit the “Giant Panda Adventure” in Ocean Park. Photo: Jelly Tse

One of the pandas living at the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Centre. Beijing has gifted two of the animals to Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

The pair will stay at Ocean Park after they arrive in Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse

Elite Hong Kong motorcyclists from Police Force Escort Group. Photo: Jelly Tse

Tourists visit the “Giant Panda Adventure” at Ocean Park. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Hong Kong leader says the pair of giant pandas expected to arrive in city on Thursday will meet the public in December


Hong Kong leader says the pair of giant pandas expected to arrive in city on Thursday will meet the public in December.
