Hong Kong is rolling out the red carpet for its newest residents, An An and Ke Ke, two giant pandas gifted by Beijing. The excitement surrounding their arrival at the international airport was palpable, marked by festivities and panda-themed toys, welcoming the couple to their new home.
With this dynamic duo, the total number of giant pandas residing in Hong Kong has reached six—the highest figure yet for the city. To say there's a buzz would be an understatement. Lawmakers are already pushing for the creation of what they dub the "panda economy," hoping to leverage the pandas’ cuteness as a springboard for tourism enhancement. Pandas have proven to be crowd-pleasers, dynamics which officials hope will translate to economic benefits for local businesses.
But before the public can see An An and Ke Ke, the five-year-old pandas must complete some necessary housekeeping. They will be kept off-display until December to acclimatize to their new digs at Ocean Park. Their arrival follows the recent birth of twin cubs by another panda residing there, Ying Ying, who just celebrated her 19th birthday. Fun fact: Ying Ying is also Hong Kong's oldest panda mother to give birth!
Ocean Park's staff has prepared extensively for the new arrivals, ensuring their massive enclosure is stocked with plenty of bamboo, specially sourced from Guangdong Province. This deliberate preparation reflects the dedication Hong Kong has to encompassing these wonderful creatures and, to some extent, to reviving its tourism sector.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee is ever-optimistic, teasing the public's imagination by promising the pandas will receive new names through community suggestions—a clever way to involve the local populace and create more goodwill. Naming contests can create emotional ties, enticing residents to feel invested even before they've met them.
On the flip side of this panda tale, Finland recently decided to return two of its own giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, back to China, citing financial constraints as the primary issue. The Ahtari Zoo, where the pandas resided, had hoped to draw visitors with their presence, banking on the cute appeal of pandas and their brand power. But years of accumulating debts and challenges posed during the pandemic saw the zoo struggling—a stark reminder of how high the costs are of caring for these beloved beasts.
The Finnish pandas were part of an agreement made with China back in early 2018, binding the animals to the zoo for 15 years. Yet, negotiations for their early return began three years ago. The zoo’s chair, Risto Sivonen, noted, "We reached a point where the Chinese said it could be done." This was underscored by the financial turmoil faced by the zoo, where maintaining Liu and Pyry had cost around 1.5 million euros annually.
Despite these challenges, the return of the pandas does not seem to jeopardize bilateral relations between Finland and China. According to Finland’s foreign ministry, the decision was strictly business-oriented. The zoo had approached the issue independently, and the hope remains for friendly consultations between the two countries.
On the backdrop of these panda migrations, giant pandas hold significant status as China’s unofficial national mascots. The panda diplomacy employed by China of lending these charming creatures to zoos around the world is often seen as soft power—fostering goodwill through these furry ambassadors. Since taking to the spotlight, they’ve always intrigued children and adults alike, making them unprecedented cultural assets.
Having brought happiness to many corners of the world, will the new arrival of An An and Ke Ke spark just as much joy and economic opportunity for Hong Kong? Only time will tell—either way, all eyes will be on Ocean Park come December when the public is expected to get their first look at the new pandas.
Until then, fans of all ages can look forward to snuggling up with some panda-themed merchandise as locals embrace the hype surrounding their furry newcomers. Stay tuned for updates on how the naming process of these two giants will pan out—and who knows? Maybe An An and Ke Ke will grow to be just as legendary as Hong Kong’s previous panda residents, like Jia Jia, the oldest-known panda who lived up to the ripe old age of 38.
