Hong Kong has launched a unique sculpture tour featuring six giant panda sculptures made from recycled materials. The tour aims to capitalize on the popularity of pandas and boost tourism numbers, with proceeds from special-edition panda designs auctioned online going towards giant panda conservation efforts.
Hong Kong Panda Sculpture Tour
Overview
Background
The idea behind the panda sculpture tour is to capitalize on the popularity of pandas in Hong Kong. Two cubs were born in August at Ocean Park, making their mother Ying Ying the world’s oldest first-time panda mom. The pandas are part of a loan program with Beijing, which has been seen as a tool of soft-power diplomacy.
Exhibition Details
The 2,500 exhibits were showcased at the Hong Kong International Airport during a welcome ceremony for the panda-themed exhibition “Panda Go!” They will be publicly displayed at various locations across the city, including:
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The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui
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Ocean Park, home to the twin cubs and their parents
Panda Sculpture Design
The design of six sculptures was inspired by the bears. Made from recycled materials such as rubber barrels and resins, they are part of a larger effort to promote sustainable practices.
Economic Impact
Hong Kong’s tourism industry is hoping that the panda sculpture tour will boost visitor numbers. Officials have encouraged businesses to capitalize on the popularity of pandas to seize opportunities in what some lawmakers have dubbed the “panda economy.”
Charity Efforts
The organizer of the exhibitions has invited renowned figures, including musician Pharrell Williams, to create special-edition panda designs. Most of these special sculptures will be auctioned online for charity, with proceeds donated to Ocean Park to support giant panda conservation efforts.
Panda Facts
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The average lifespan for a panda in the wild is 14 to 20 years.
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Jia Jia, one of the first pair of pandas gifted by Beijing to Hong Kong, died at 38 in 2016 and holds the record as the world’s oldest-ever panda to have lived in captivity.
By The Associated Press
The pandas have become a popular attraction in Hong Kong since two cubs were born in a local theme park earlier this year. The 2,500 exhibits showcased at the launch ceremony of PANDA GO! FEST HK are made from recycled materials such as rubber barrels and resins.
The twin cubs, An An and Ke Ke, who arrived in September, made their debut appearance at a media preview event on Monday. They are set to meet the public on Sunday. Their mother, Ying Ying, is the world’s oldest first-time panda mom after giving birth to the twins in August.
