Hong Kong authorities have spent HK$700,000 (US$90,028) on a competition to rename two Beijing-gifted giant pandas, in which their original names were retained.
The Giant Panda Naming Competition, which kicked off in October, was organised to invite the public to come up with new names for “An An” and “Ke Ke”, who arrived from Sichuan.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said on Friday the public money was used to build a website for the activity, post advertisements at MTR stations and on the internet, recruit extra supporting manpower and offer prizes to winners.
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The judges of the naming contest, however, took up their roles voluntarily, the bureau added.
According to the competition website, the champion was awarded prizes worth HK$47,320, including a tourbillon watch valued at HK$36,800, and membership and vouchers for Ocean Park.
During a ceremony on Saturday, judges announced that the bears would keep their names.
When asked on Sunday if the competition was a waste of public money, the newly appointed Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said authorities would not have known that most people would prefer sticking with the original names.
“An An”, a male panda, and “Ke Ke”, a female one, arrived in Hong Kong in September, ahead of the citywide naming competition which drew more than 22,600 submissions.
“An An” denotes a peaceful and stable future for Hong Kong while “Ke Ke” suggests unlimited possibilities for the city.
The five-year-old pandas are housed in Ocean Park with four others, including the two cubs born in August.
The pair met the public for the first time on Sunday after completing their month-long quarantine, and another month to adapt to their new environment.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Hong Kong sticks with names An An and Ke Ke for Beijing-gifted pandas
- Ocean Park debut for Hong Kong pandas An An, Ke Ke draws fans from around the world
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