Hong Kong celebrates: Babyandas Jia Jia and de de bring happiness!

Hong Kong celebrates: Babyandas Jia Jia and de de bring happiness!

Ocean Park, Hongkong, China - The first baby and baby born in Hong Kong officially got their names: Jia Jia and de de. This name coverage took place in Ocean Park, where the animals live together with their parents. According to Remszeitung were selected from over 35.700 were submitted.

Jia Jia, the older sister and her little brother de de were born in August. Her mother, Ying Ying, is the oldest panda female who has experienced for the first time after the birth of a young animal. Ocean Park boss Paulo Pum explained that the names are given on Mandarin, but the meanings come from the Cantonese. Jia stands for support, family and lucky grace, while the success and virtue symbolizes. The park hopes for an increase in tourism in Hong Kong.

panda economy and tourism

The pandas are not only extremely popular with residents, but also for tourists. This leads to speculative statements of local politicians about a possible “panda economy” in the city. It was particularly striking to increase the number of visitors by almost 40 % during a five-day holiday in early May, which made Ocean Park easier for an economic recovery after a deficit of $ 71.6 million ($ 9.2 million) in the last financial year. The care of the six pandas in the park is expensive, but hope is expressed that this investment will bear fruit in the long run.

The popularity of the pandas goes beyond Hong Kong and refers to a more comprehensive concept of "panda diplomacy". This practice has a long history and is used by China to promote diplomatic relationships. According to an article on BBC Future , the first Panda-Darelehen was assigned to the USA Pandas inevitably connected with international relationships.

The decision at that time to award Pandas as gifts or loans is part of China's "Soft Power" to strengthen its influence globally. Recent developments show that recent pandas, such as Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, now live in San Diego Zoo, and here too the animals are used as a path of diplomacy.

Overall, the baby banda in Hong Kong show the cultural importance of these animals and the role that they play in China's global diplomacy. Jia Jia and de de could not only conquer the hearts of many people, but also become a new business factor for Hong Kong.