"Send a Pair of Pandas?"... Hong Kong's Growing Hopes Amid China's National Day Gift Possibility

Death of First-Generation Panda, Currently Two Survive

As China approaches the 75th National Day (October 1) this year, expectations are growing that it may gift a pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong, according to the Chinese state-run English newspaper Global Times on the 29th.

Everland Giant Panda 'Fubao' Photo by Yonhap News

Chan Yung, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong delegation to the National People's Congress (NPC) and a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the largest pro-Beijing party in Hong Kong, told Global Times, "This could happen before October 1, with the pandas arriving in Hong Kong."

Vice Chairman Chan explained, "All citizens of Hong Kong will treasure these pandas, and their presence will increase the number of tourists."

It is reported that the DAB requested a gift of pandas from Sichuan Province, China, where panda breeding centers are concentrated, during last month's Two Sessions (the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference).

Vice Chairman Chan also suggested the possible panda names "Ziz" and "Xingxing," which symbolize Hong Kong's stable governance and prosperity.

With the first-generation pandas An An and Jia Jia, who arrived earlier in Hong Kong, having passed away, and Ying Ying and Le Le, who arrived in 2007, still residing at the theme park Ocean Park Hong Kong, the DAB claims that Hong Kong is ready to welcome new pandas at any time.

An Ocean Park Hong Kong official also said, "Gifting pandas to Hong Kong on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China would be very meaningful," adding, "It would also be a factor that attracts tourists to Hong Kong."