History unfolded at Ocean Park Hong Kong as the city's first homegrown giant panda cubs made their public debut on Sunday. Born in August 2023, the furry twins now greet visitors at the park's 'Giant Panda Adventure' exhibit, delighting wildlife enthusiasts and families.
The cubs' parents, Ying Ying and Le Le, were gifted to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the central government in 2007 as symbols of cross-strait goodwill. Their offspring's birth marks a milestone in biodiversity conservation efforts and strengthens cultural connections between mainland China and Hong Kong.
Park officials have invited residents to participate in naming the cubs through an online campaign, fostering community engagement. Giant pandas – a globally recognized conservation icon – now number over 1,800 in the wild due to sustained protection efforts, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
