Hong Kong residents have been invited to suggest names for two giant panda cubs – the first to be born in the special administrative region – a day before the twin cubs make their much-expected public debut.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told a greeting ceremony for the cubs on Saturday that members of the public should submit their suggestions online for the competition which will last till March 7. The results will be announced in the first half of this year.

Each participant can submit only one entry, and should explain the meaning of the proposed name in not more than 100 Chinese characters. The winner would receive various awards, including four Ocean Park annual memberships for adults.

IN PICTURES: Ready for public debut

The judging panel will comprise representatives of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, Ocean Park, and prominent social personalities.

The panda twins – nicknamed “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother” – turned six months old on Saturday. Ocean Park will make special arrangements for them to meet the public on Sunday.

Lee said the cubs have a special meaning for Hong Kong, and their debut reflects the collective efforts of all concerned.

READ MORE: HK gears up to celebrate panda cubs’ public debut

He said the cubs are in excellent health, having shown impressive growth. They now weigh more than 10 kilograms, compared with a mere 120 grams at birth.  

The SAR is now home to six giant pandas, making it the region with the largest panda population outside of the Chinese mainland.

Lee pledged to continue leveraging the opportunities brought by the pandas to promote panda tourism and Hong Kong’s appeal.

Like An An and Ke Ke – the pair of giant pandas gifted by the central government last year – he said the birth of the panda cubs has profound significance. It not only shows the central government’s care and support for Hong Kong, but also highlights the nation’s remarkable achievements in wildlife conservation.

The pandas serve as ambassadors for both Hong Kong and the country, and their arrival has provided the SAR with unique new experiences.

Lee said the SAR government will continue to collaborate with the nation in advancing giant panda conservation, and tell compelling stories about the country, Hong Kong and the national treasures.

ALSO READ: HK panda twins healthy and growing, ready for public debut

Hong Kong has launched a new round of activities to welcome the much-anticipated public debut of the city’s first ever giant panda twins on Sunday, such as 3D panda mailboxes, sculpture exhibition, and a special edition of Octopus.

Ocean Park Chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee said the enthusiasm of Hong Kong residents for giant pandas has reached an unprecedented level, and panda-themed products can be seen throughout the city, helping to promote tourism. Efforts will also be stepped up to aid in the breeding of giant pandas.

He said the park has seen a significant increase in revenue in the past few months. During Christmas in December last year, the number of visitors to the park went up by 30-percent year-on-year, while the just concluded Lunar New Year holidays saw a 10-percent rise.

The giant pandas’ influence is evident, and their popularity has continued to make visitors more excited, Pong said, believing that the addition of the panda cubs will further boost visitor traffic and product sales.

READ MORE: Pandas: A beacon of hope for Ocean Park to restore glory

Ocean Park is also rolling out a special VIP session for visitors to meet the panda twins. The session, beginning on Feb 18, will enable visitors to relish their moments with the pandas before the park opens at 10 am. It charges HK$1,500($192) per person, with each session capped at 40 guests.

Pong said tickets for the session went on sale on Friday, with hundreds of visitors having signed up.

To cater to demand, he said the park will continue with the special program, emphasizing that the income will be used for giant panda conservation work after deducting costs.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com