Two giant pandas gifted by the Central Government will make their first public appearance tomorrow at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures at Ocean Park. The two giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, who will continue to retain their original names, are expected to attract more visitors to the park.

A giant panda greeting ceremony was held today (7 December). Club Chairman Michael Lee joined HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee; wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive Janet Lee; Executive Deputy Director Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhou Ji; Deputy Director and member of the Leading Party Group of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Li Yunqing; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR Zheng Yanxiong; Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC in HKSAR Cui Jianchun, and other guests officiated at the ceremony.

Since their arrival in Hong Kong on 26 September, An An and Ke Ke have been living in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, which have been upgraded with the support of the Club’s Charities Trust. The pandas have spent their time acclimatising to their new home and enjoying the new facilities.

In total The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved over HK$121 million to upgrade the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures and to expand the Giant Panda Adventure. This includes the addition of snowing features and landscape restoration, which provide a high quality, safe, age-appropriate and more natural living habitat for giant pandas. The giant pandas Ying Ying, Le Le and their twin babies currently living in the park will also be able to enjoy the new facilities. In addition, the donation will support educational programmes for students from underprivileged backgrounds, enabling them to visit the giant pandas at Ocean Park.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to promoting sustainable development. The Club funded Ocean Park’s construction and initial operations after it opened in 1977. In 1998, the Club’s Charities Trust funded the construction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat, which was later renovated and renamed the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures. The Club has also supported community projects such as the Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme and the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, aimed at fostering awareness of rare animal species, including national treasures like giant pandas. To date, the Club and its Charities Trust has approved a total of over HK$900 million in donations towards Ocean Park’s development and operations.

The Club’s support for Ocean Park, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of society. The Club has a unique integrated business model comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2023/24, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community. This included HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$10.2 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s leading charity donors.