Pandas have dominated Hong Kong’s latest festival season. The excitement began in early December when giant pandas An An and Ke Ke, given to the city by Beijing, made their first public appearance at Ocean Park. A pop-up exhibition of 2,500 panda sculptures, including at the Avenue of Stars and Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, also attracted crowds.
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Through Christmas and the Lunar New Year, panda fever soared as Hong Kong officials hinted at debut dates for the public to meet the giant panda twins born in Ocean Park last August – before announcing February 16. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has also called for a naming event for the twins, known simply as “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother” for now.
Ocean Park, now home to six giant pandas – the largest number in captivity under the same roof outside mainland China – recently announced plans to build a panda museum.
Some legislators have proposed leveraging the “panda economy” to boost Hong Kong’s tourism and cultural industries. Meanwhile, voices in the community have called for the creation of a new panda-themed cultural identity for Hong Kong, positioning pandas as the city’s cultural ambassadors.
While pandas are loved by Hong Kong residents, it is important to recognise that, as China’s national treasure, the panda is a Chinese icon, much like the eagle for the United States, the brown bear for Russia and the kangaroo for Australia. Given this, Hong Kong should embrace the panda craze as part of a broader effort to promote Chinese culture.
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Meanwhile, Hong Kong should develop its unique cultural symbol, one that reflects its distinct identity and allows the city to showcase itself as the “Pearl of the Orient”.