Hong Kong: In a heartwarming moment for the city, Hong Kong has officially named its first locally born giant panda twin cubs, Jia Jia and De De.
The names were unveiled on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at a ceremony held at Ocean Park, the iconic theme park home to the twin cubs, their parents, and two other pandas from mainland China.
Rosanna Law, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park, attended the event. The names were selected through a public naming contest that received over 35,700 entries, reflecting deep public interest in the beloved cubs.
Jia, the female cub, received a name that symbolizes family, prosperity, and happiness. According to Ocean Park officials, the Chinese character “Jia” carries elements of auspicious grace and national pride.
De, the male cub, was named after a character that means “to succeed” and sounds like the word for virtue in Mandarin, highlighting the values traditionally associated with pandas.
The naming followed the cultural custom of using Mandarin pronunciation for the pandas’ English names. Interestingly, “Jia” echoes the Cantonese word for elder sister, while “De De” resembles the Cantonese phrase for little brother, a thoughtful nod to Hong Kong’s local language and culture.
Photos from the ceremony showed the pandas exploring their enclosures, De De climbing trees, and Jia Jia bonding with their mother, Ying Ying. The naming marks a significant milestone for Ocean Park, the city’s wildlife conservation efforts, and public engagement.
