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RTHK
27-05-2025
- General
- RTHK
Meet Jia Jia and De De – HK's very own panda twins
Meet Jia Jia and De De – HK's very own panda twins More than 35,000 submissions were received after the public was invited to submit suggestions for names for the panda cubs. Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Park The names of the giant panda twin cubs that were born in Hong Kong have been revealed on Tuesday. In a ceremony, the judges announced that "big sister" will take the name of Jia Jia while "little brother" will be named De De. The name "Jia Jia" represents the Cantonese saying of cheer up. It also embodies the meaning of family. Meanwhile, "De De" expresses a hope that Hong Kong can do well in everything and also represents virtue in Chinese. More than 35,000 submissions were received after the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Ocean Park called for the public to submit ideas for the names of the panda cubs in February. In yesterday's ceremony, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok presented a "birth certificate" to the cubs. "The pair of giant pandas are actually not qualified to get a birth certificate, but we will present them with a birth memorial certificate to them," he said. "The certificate will have their photos printed and some basic information, along with their [official] names." The twin pandas will move with their mother Ying Ying to Alpine Zone at the Giant Panda Adventure, where the public will be able to see the pandas without a glass barrier. Speaking after the ceremony, Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong explained why "Jia Jia" and "De De" was chosen as the names. "First of all, it is a very positive pair of names," he said. "Jia Jia is the mandarin version, it means home, and sounds like home. "In terms of De De, some people may pronounce as Di Di, which is younger brother in Cantonese. "We have to be a bit creative here with the names, the sounds like, and there are also different meanings."
RTHK
27-05-2025
- General
- RTHK
Meet Jia Jia and De De – HK's very own panda twins
Meet Jia Jia and De De – HK's very own panda twins More than 35,000 submissions were received after the public was invited to submit suggestions for names for the panda cubs. Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Park The names of the giant panda twin cubs that were born in Hong Kong have been revealed on Tuesday. In a ceremony, the judges announced that "big sister" will take the name of Jia Jia while "little brother" will be named De De. The name "Jia Jia" represents the Cantonese saying of cheer up. It also embodies the meaning of family. Meanwhile, "De De" expresses a hope that Hong Kong can do well in everything and also represents virtue in Chinese. More than 35,000 submissions were received after the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Ocean Park called for the public to submit ideas for the names of the panda cubs in February. In yesterday's ceremony, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok presented a "birth certificate" to the cubs. "The pair of giant pandas are actually not qualified to get a birth certificate, but we will present them with a birth memorial certificate to them," he said. "The certificate will have their photos printed and some basic information, along with their [official] names." The twin pandas will move with their mother Ying Ying to Alpine Zone at the Giant Panda Adventure, where the public will be able to see the pandas without a glass barrier. Speaking after the ceremony, Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong explained why "Jia Jia" and "De De" was chosen as the names. "First of all, it is a very positive pair of names," he said. "Jia Jia is the mandarin version, it means home, and sounds like home. "In terms of De De, some people may pronounce as Di Di, which is younger brother in Cantonese. "We have to be a bit creative here with the names, the sounds like, and there are also different meanings."
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.
RTHK
06-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
HK has the capacity to welcome more tourists: Law
HK has the capacity to welcome more tourists: Law Tourism minister Rosanna Law says the visitor numbers for Friday have reached a daily record high since the pandemic. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said on Tuesday she believes Hong Kong has the capacity to accommodate more travellers despite some tourist hotspots being crowded during the Labour Day Golden Week. Following the end of the five-day holiday, Chief Executive John Lee requested the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, relevant departments and the sector to study the travel patterns and interests of incoming visitors. Speaking at a Legislative Council panel meeting, Law said Hong Kong saw 1.1 million tourists in the first five days of this month and that visitor numbers for Friday hit a daily record high since the pandemic. But Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Benson Luk asked whether the government has plans to conduct an assessment of the city's capacity to receive tourists, like what the authorities did in 2013. Law said Hong Kong saw a significant rise in the number of tourists during the past five days but pointed out that attractions in other places, such as on the mainland, were even more crowded during the holiday. "Some attractions, like the East Dam, were indeed crowded," she said. "But the order and the flow of people were smooth. "We will look into it and summarise our experiences to make sure we can handle situations better during peak seasons, such as during the Golden Week. "But I'm not worried in the short term about the overall capacity to receive tourists." Law added that the government has to look at ways to attract tourists to visit Hong Kong during different times, not just peak seasons. The Tourism Board has predicted that Hong Kong would see about 49 million visitor arrivals this year, a 10 percent increase from last year.
South China Morning Post
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong authorities step in as complaints over Coldplay ticketing errors mount
Hong Kong authorities are 'highly concerned' about misprinted information on tickets for Coldplay's concerts at Kai Tak Stadium next month and have told Cityline to provide remedial measures including refunding handling fees. Advertisement In a statement issued shortly after Cityline informed ticket holders on Saturday night they would need to exchange their standing-room tickets for new ones, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said it was highly concerned about the errors found on some of the printed tickets. Cityline was told to handle the matter 'swiftly and properly to ensure that the experience of ticket holders would not be affected', the bureau said. It added the company had agreed to add more ticket exchange locations such as in mainland China, allow fans to swap the tickets right up until the shows started and refund handling fees for affected buyers. The misprint concerned standing tickets priced at HK$1,399 (US$180) delivered by DHL. Advertisement The pop band will play Kai Tak Stadium on April 8, 9, 11 and 12 as part of its Music of the Spheres world tour.
