HONG KONG (AP) — This Saturday marks the opening of PANDA GO! FEST HK, an extensive panda-themed exhibition featuring an impressive 2,500 giant panda sculptures. The enthusiasm for pandas in Hong Kong has surged, especially after the recent birth of two cubs at a local theme park.
The exhibition had its official launch at the Hong Kong airport on Monday. The stunning sculptures will first be displayed at the popular shopping area, the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, before moving to three additional locations throughout the month.
One notable display site is Ocean Park, where the twin cubs, their mother Ying Ying, and their father Le Le, along with two additional pandas gifted this year by Beijing, reside. Six of the sculptures in the exhibition were specially designed using recycled materials and were inspired by these adorable bears.
The cubs, born in August, made Ying Ying the world’s oldest panda mother to give birth for the first time. They are expected to be able to greet visitors as early as February, generating excitement among fans of the species.
In a media preview event held on Monday, the newly gifted pandas, An An and Ke Ke, were seen comfortably adapting to their surroundings at Ocean Park. An An was entertaining onlookers by munching on bamboo, while Ke Ke playfully explored the area. Both pandas are set to meet the public this Sunday.
These panda displays highlight Hong Kong’s strategic use of the beloved bears to stimulate tourism as the city strives to reclaim its status as a leading destination in Asia. The popularity of pandas, who are often regarded as China’s unofficial national mascot, has significant cultural significance, and their presence is seen as a component of Beijing’s soft-power diplomacy.
Tourism representatives in Hong Kong are optimistic about the economic benefits of having six pandas in local facilities, even though maintaining them can be costly. Local officials have encouraged businesses to leverage the “panda economy” and seize opportunities arising from the growing fascination with these creatures.
The exhibition organizers have collaborated with prominent figures, including musician Pharrell Williams, to create exclusive panda designs. Many of these unique sculptures will be auctioned online for charity, with proceeds going to Ocean Park to support giant panda conservation efforts.
Ying Ying and Le Le are notable not just as parents to the twin cubs but also as the second pair of pandas sent to Hong Kong by Beijing since the territory’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The first pair, An An and Jia Jia, arrived in 1999, with Jia Jia making history as the oldest captive panda, living to the remarkable age of 38 before passing away in 2016.
The average lifespan of a panda in the wild ranges from 14 to 20 years, while those in captivity can live up to 30 years, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.
