Hong Kong to hold naming contest for 2 new giant pandas in October, John Lee says
Hong Kong leader says the pair of giant pandas expected to arrive in city on Thursday will meet the public in December
“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.
A source said the government would set up a panel and appoint members to select names for the bears.
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.