Latest news with #ChinaConservationandResearchCentrefortheGiantPanda
Time Out
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Hong Kong's giant panda twin cubs are officially named Jia Jia and De De
Just when you think the 'pandamania' is slowly calming down in the city, Ocean Park is ramping up the excitement once again with an announcement of the official names for Hong Kong's beloved panda twin cubs! Here's what you need to know about the newly named pair. What are the names of the giant panda twins in Hong Kong? On August 15, 2024, the city's beloved giant panda Ying Ying became the oldest first-time giant panda mum on record, having given birth to two twin panda cubs – affectionately nicknamed 'Elder Sister' and 'Little Brother' just a day before her 19th birthday. 'Elder sister' is now named Jia Jia, while De De is the official name for 'Little Brother'! The meaning of Jia Jia and De De Jia Jia (加加) uses the Chinese character '加' to convey the message of support, like 'add oil' (加油). The word 'jia' is also a homophone for the Chinese characters '家', meaning home, and '嘉', meaning auspices, in both Cantonese and Putonghua. 'Jia' also features an element of family and a sense of auspicious grace, embodying the prosperity of families and the nation as well as the happiness of the people. Meanwhile, De De (得得) means 'to succeed', symbolising that the city will be successful in everything we do. 'De' is also a homophone for the Chinese character for 'virtue' (德) in Cantonese and Putonghua, suggesting that the giant pandas, our national treasures, possess the virtues cherished by people. How were the names Jia Jia and De De chosen? Out of 35,7000 entries in a contest run by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Ocean Park, the judging panel – comprised of representatives from CSTB, the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, OPC, and prominent social figures – chose the most meaningful and creative names that they felt best represent the young and lively characteristics of the giant panda cubs. The winner of the naming competition will receive: Ocean Park annual membership for four adults (valued at $5,520) 'Elder Sister' and 'Little Brother' giant panda baby plush (valued at $6,576) Ocean Park F&B vouchers (valued at $2,000) Chow Tai Fook gift voucher (valued at $8,000) Eight other lucky winners will also get their hands on the Merit Prize, which has: Ocean Park annual membership for two adults (valued at $2,760) Giant panda souvenirs (valued at $1,000) Ocean Park F&B vouchers (valued at $1,000) Visit 'Jia Jia' and 'De De' at Ocean Park Hong Kong You can now see Jia Jia and De De at Ocean Park's Giant Panda Adventure, open daily from 10am to 4.30pm. The opening hours are subject to change, so do check for the latest updates on the park's website before you go.
The Star
18-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Giant pandas, Fu Wa, Feng Yi return safely to China, begin one-month quarantine
Feng Yi (pic) and Fu Wa have arrived at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) on Sunday, May 18, 2025 to begin their one-month quarantine. Photo: CCRC General Panda Centre/Weibo PETALING JAYA: Giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi have arrived safely at the Ya'an base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), following their departure from Malaysia after more than a decade abroad. The pair touched down at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at approximately 3pm on Sunday (May 18) aboard SF Airlines cargo flight O3292, after a flight lasting over four hours. Later that evening, at around 7:10pm, they were transported to the Ya'an base under the care of experts from both China and Malaysia. The pandas are now undergoing a mandatory quarantine period of at least one month. The two pandas arrived in Malaysia on May 21, 2014 under China's panda loan programme, a symbol of goodwill marking 40 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. Once settled at Zoo Negara, they were renamed - Fu Wa became Xing Xing ('prosperity') and Feng Yi became Liang Liang ('pretty'). As Malaysia's first resident giant pandas, they quickly became beloved figures, playing a major role in deepening public interest in conservation and strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. In 2024, a transitional agreement extended the original 10-year panda loan, initially set to end in May 2024, by one year, allowing the pandas to remain in Malaysia until May 2025. Over their 11-year stay, Fu Wa and Feng Yi produced three cubs: Nuan Nuan, Yi Yi, and Sheng Yi. All three have since been repatriated to China, with their health reported to be in good condition. In preparation for the pandas' return, the CCRCGP dispatched a veterinary specialist to Malaysia to assist with panda care and behavioural training, and to coordinate with Malaysian caretakers on health evaluations and travel logistics. The pandas were accompanied on their journey by personnel from both countries. Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said panda caretaker Mohd Saiffullah Md Yusuf accompanied the pandas to China and would remain there for several days to help them settle in. The Ya'an base had prepared extensively for the arrival, ensuring quarantine facilities, disinfection procedures, food supplies, and healthcare plans were in place. Officials said every effort is being made to help the pandas adapt to their new environment, with plans for them to be reintroduced to the public once the quarantine period is complete. With the return of Fu Wa and Feng Yi to China, the panda pair have fulfilled their 10-year role as symbolic ambassadors of Malaysia–China relations. Their departure, along with their three cubs, left many Malaysian panda fans feeling emotional, as they bid a fond and heartfelt farewell to the beloved family of five, sending them off with blessings and well wishes. However, Malaysia will continue its collaboration with China under a new agreement signed on April 16 during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia. Under the agreement, Malaysia will receive a new pair of giant pandas for a 10-year period from 2025 to 2035.
