On December 8, the third pair of giant pandas gifted by the central government to Hong Kong, named An An and Ke Ke, officially met with Hong Kong residents and visitors. From early morning, crowds of eager citizens and tourists gathered outside the gates of Ocean Park, all excited to catch a first glimpse of the new arrivals.
At 10 a.m., Ocean Park officially opened. Many visitors rushed straight to the Sichuan Treasures Pavilion, where An An and Ke Ke reside, hoping to secure a prime viewing spot. Due to the large number of attendees, the park implemented crowd control measures at times.

Inside the pavilion, visitors observed the distinct personalities of the two pandas. An An is an extroverted and cheerful “sunshine boy” brimming with curiosity and a desire to explore. In contrast, Ke Ke is a quiet and reserved “sweet girl,” appearing a bit shy. At times, they leisurely munched on bamboo, while at other moments, they raised their heads to interact with the audience. Their adorable antics delighted the crowd, with many exclaiming how cute they were. Visitors eagerly recorded the pandas’ every move, unwilling to miss any “aww-worthy” moment.
Anthony, a tourist from the United States, saw giant pandas for the first time during his visit. He told a China News Service reporter that it was the second-to-last day of his trip in Hong Kong, and upon learning about An An and Ke Ke’s public debut, he added “visiting Ocean Park to see pandas” to his itinerary. When asked if he would visit the pandas again on his next trip to Hong Kong, Anthony responded with certainty: “Of course!”

Ms. Li, a Hong Kong resident, brought her daughter along for the occasion. The little girl clutched a panda plush toy in her hand. Ms. Li told reporters that after seeing An An and Ke Ke, they planned to visit the “Panda Adventure” exhibit to meet Le Le, a male panda who recently became a “panda dad.” She added, “We are also eagerly looking forward to the future debut of Hong Kong-born panda twins, Jiajie and Xilao.”
Throughout Ocean Park, panda and bamboo-themed decorations could be seen everywhere. Many visitors wore panda costumes and took photos with panda sculptures and murals. The gift shop launched limited-edition “An An & Ke Ke” plush toys, designed with thoughtful details: An An’s plush is slightly larger than Ke Ke’s, while Ke Ke’s appears rounder, with pink paw pads to reflect her “princess” personality.
That day, Hong Kong’s new Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Lo Shuk-pui, also spoke to the media about An An and Ke Ke’s debut. She remarked that Ocean Park was bustling with excitement that morning and commended the park’s excellent arrangements. She expressed confidence that “An An and Ke Ke” would not disappoint the public.