Editorial | Tonic for Hong Kong as panda cubs named
Jia Jia and De De will continue to be huge draws for years to come and, with the right strategy, can boost the city’s economy in multiple ways
The twin giant panda cubs born in Hong Kong last August are cute as buttons and have now been officially named with monikers that will appeal to their vast army of fans. Their official naming also marks what many hope will be a boost to the so-called panda economy.
Affectionately nicknamed “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”, a traditional way of addressing siblings in a Chinese family, the nine-month-old twins were yesterday formally given the names Jia Jia and De De, respectively. “Jia Jia” in Mandarin means home and family, while its Cantonese version also signifies encouragement and support. “De De” expresses hope that Hong Kong can do well in everything and also represents virtue in Chinese. The names were chosen as they also sound similar to their nicknames.
The naming followed a public engagement that attracted more than 35,000 submissions, a process underlining the excitement surrounding their birth. As in the christening of newborns and other naming ceremonies, the choice of names signifies that the twins are now not only a part of the Hong Kong family but also places expectations on the cuddly pair as they grow up.
The cubs have been drawing fans to their home at Ocean Park since they debuted in mid-February, six months after the first successful panda births in the city. Along with their mother Ying Ying, they will be moved to the Alpine Zone of their enclosure at the Giant Panda Adventure, where visitors can meet the family without a glass barrier. Their father, Le Le, continues to stay in a separate area, in line with pandas’ natural solitary behaviour.
The city has been buzzing with excitement since last summer, with the surprise twin births coinciding with the arrival of adult pandas An An and Ke Ke, gifted by Beijing to mark the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty.
As we welcome Jia Jia and De De as part of the community, hopes are high that Hong Kong can better capitalise on the opportunities arising from the six pandas that now call the city home. We trust Ocean Park’s efforts in raising the twins will enhance its conservation experience. With the right strategy, the pandas can help generate more positive energy and add to economic benefits for the city.