Recently, Hong Kong has been filled with “panda traces.” An exhibition of over a thousand panda sculptures has popped up in several locations across the city, panda-themed fireworks and drone shows have been held, and various dining brands have launched panda-themed snacks…
Hong Kong Ocean Park, located in the southern part of the island, has become a “panda paradise.” Walking through the park, visitors encounter adorable panda cartoon installations everywhere, perfect for taking photos.
The stars of the trend are six “top-tier” giant pandas in the park: the second pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the central government, “Ying Ying” and “Le Le,” and their pair of twins born in August last year, along with the third pair of pandas, “An An” and “Keke,” who arrived in Hong Kong in September.
Hong Kong has become a “treasure land” for giant pandas, witnessing a growing family with good news after good news in recent years. The pandas have become symbols of the deep bond between mainland China and Hong Kong, and have left an unforgettable mark on many residents and tourists.
From Birth to Growth
Along a small tree, the “big sister” (Jia Jie) expertly climbs up to a high point, then lies down leisurely. The “little brother” (Xi Lao) plays intently on a swing hanging from the tree. After a brief rest, they start chasing and playing together.
At the Ocean Park Giant Panda Journey exhibition, the first-ever “Hong Kong-born” panda twins, a dragon and phoenix pair, have been lively and adorable, often making visitors smile. On their debut day, the exhibition set a record by attracting about 5,000 visitors, with thousands more watching the live stream.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for 14 years!” said their “nanny,” Hu Yiqi.
Now the Assistant Curator of the Animal Department, Hu Yiqi still remembers when “Ying Ying” and “Le Le” first arrived in Hong Kong in 2007, just over a year old. They were small, just a little larger than the current twins. Over the years, the care team has been with them as they grew.
Since 2011, “Ying Ying” and “Le Le” had been attempting to mate, but without success. After their “date” last spring, “Ying Ying” showed typical physiological signs like reduced appetite, and the care team continued to take extra care of her.
“This is something we do every year,” Hu Yiqi recalled. “But by mid-August, one time when Ying Ying cooperated for an ultrasound, we saw the fetus in her belly. That moment was such a pleasant surprise!”
It was just three days before her due date. The care team worked tirelessly around the clock, and on the morning of the 15th, “Ying Ying” successfully gave birth, becoming the oldest giant panda to successfully give birth for the first time.
In the six months since, “Ying Ying” has been perfecting her “parenting skills” while the twins have rapidly grown—learning to drink milk, open their eyes, and crawl for the first time…
To Hu Yiqi, “Ying Ying” has always been her “little princess” and now, a wonderful mother. Many moments of overwhelming motherly love remain vivid in her memory. “It feels like I’m becoming a grandmother.”
From First Meeting to Familiarity
The small, round, five-year-old “Keke” crawls through a wooden tunnel, then picks up a piece of bamboo and climbs to a “throne”-shaped crown, showing off her eating habits to visitors up close.
On the other side of the wall, her same-age companion, “An An,” is a large, muscular panda with a dense black coat. Upon emerging from the inner area, he heads straight into the “bamboo forest” and lies sprawled out on a wooden frame, happily eating.
The third pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong, “An An” and “Keke,” reside in the Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures Pavilion at Ocean Park. To provide them with more space to move around, the park has added enrichment facilities to their habitat and will adjust them as needed.
Seeing them gradually adapt to their new home over the past six months, animal care officer Liu Siying feels very pleased. To welcome them to Hong Kong, she visited the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center twice last summer and worked with local experts in Sichuan.
For Liu Siying, the process of getting to know and become familiar with “An An” and “Keke” has been fulfilling. Through repeated feedings and calls, the two pandas gradually became familiar with her scent and voice. “Later on, when they heard me call them, their ears would twitch, and they’d walk right over.”
Since their arrival in Hong Kong, Liu Siying and the pandas have grown closer. She taught them to understand some Cantonese commands and closely observed their growth.
She listed their recent changes: “Keke” has become more active recently, sometimes picking up small wooden blocks and stones during walks and rolling them around. The care team chose a variety of toys of different lengths and weights for her. “An An” has become more of a foodie, eagerly eating bamboo from various regions. The care team ensures his diet is varied, especially with his favorite apples and carrots.
As spring approaches, “An An” and “Keke” are entering their mating season. Liu Siying and her colleagues are closely monitoring their condition. “We hope they live happily and healthily in Hong Kong, and produce their own next generation,” she said.
From First Encounter to Deep Affection
As the panda family continues to grow, the “national treasure fever” in Hong Kong is infecting more people. The “parents,” “Ying Ying” and “Le Le,” have also become internet sensations.
Seeing the caregivers help with the twins, “Ying Ying” took advantage of the time to eat bamboo, prompting online commenters to say, “Mom should enjoy her ‘private time.'” Meanwhile, “Le Le” gained popularity for his playful water antics, with fans joking that “Dad needs to work hard to earn ‘milk money.'”
Li Juan’s social media account has provided fans with a lot of “spiritual nourishment.” She has made it a habit to visit the “Hong Kong babies” every two to three days to take photos and share them. “Every time I see them, I feel so happy,” Li Juan said, hoping to share the cuteness of Hong Kong’s pandas with more people.
Since the arrival of the first pair of pandas, “An An” and “Jia Jia,” in 1999, giant pandas have become a part of many Hong Kong people’s memories. The late pandas are still fondly remembered by fans who visit to pay their respects.
A series of giant panda-themed activities in Hong Kong are creating even more sweet memories. People of all backgrounds have fallen in love with giant pandas through their participation in these activities. Chen Jia sisters, students at Wang Jin Hui Primary and Secondary School, are among them.
Nine-year-old Chen Langyu painted the view of Victoria Harbour with vibrant colors on a panda mold, winning second place in Hong Kong. Her 12-year-old sister, Chen Zhaoyu, designed a “photo spot” for the community, painting a giant panda holding Hong Kong-style snacks along a seaside promenade.
“Giant pandas are so cute. They’re a national treasure and also one of Hong Kong’s special features!” said Chen Zhaoyu, explaining the inspiration behind her creation.
Around the giant panda brand, Hong Kong is working to develop its cultural and tourism industries: Ocean Park has launched over 400 panda-themed products, tour companies are offering theme carnivals, and Hong Kong Post has released related stamps and mailboxes… In Hong Kong, the giant panda family continues to write its unique bond with the people of Hong Kong.