Even an hour before Ocean Park threw open its gates at 10 am on Sunday, a palpable sense of excitement filled the air as exhilarated visitors snaked their way through the entrance to the city’s largest theme park.

They were united in one purpose – catching their first glimpse of An An and Ke Ke -- the pair of giant pandas presented by the central government as a gift to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region – as the national treasures made their public debut in the city.

The pandas greeted residents a day after a ceremony at which it was announced that their original names would be retained despite a city-wide naming contest in which more than 22,000 suggestions were made.

Excited children perched on their fathers’ shoulders, along with tourists carrying hefty backpacks, and wildlife enthusiasts clutching panda-themed toys, waited patiently to meet the beloved ambassadors of conservation.

“Seeing the new members of Hong Kong’s panda family on their debut day is a memorable experience,” said Wan Nga-ting, a 31-year-old teaching assistant at the Hong Kong Education Center. She proudly pinned a palm-sized panda toy onto her backpack as she waited for the park’s gates to open.

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The two five-year-old pandas arrived in the SAR from Sichuan province on Sept 26 as gifts from the central government to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to the motherland.

With the addition of An An and Ke Ke, along with Ying Ying and Le Le -- another pair of pandas gifted by the central government in 2007-- and their twin cubs born this year, Hong Kong now has six pandas, making the city home to the largest population of pandas outside of the Chinese mainland.

Wan, who has been visiting the park monthly to see pandas since her school days, said she had expected big crowds, but still decided to join the throng of panda fans as a way to celebrate her lifelong fondness for the animals.

Leonardo Li, a finance professional, and his girlfriend were among the first panda enthusiasts to enter the park at 10 am. Carrying a stuffed panda toy adorned with bamboo on his shoulder, Li said he was thrilled being able to meet the pandas after waiting for months.

“The panda is a national treasure, and presenting them to the SAR is a wonderful gesture from the central government,” he said.

Li said he believes the arrival of An An and Ke Ke will boost Hong Kong’s tourism industry as there are countless enthusiastic panda lovers around the world.

Inside Ocean Park’s packed Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, which houses the giant pandas, visitors inched forward, raising their phones to capture images of the pandas through the glass pane.

The crowd shifted as An An explored his den, searching for bamboo and climbing up and down a gnarled tree.

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Gasps of anxiety filled the air when An An disappeared through a hole into his private quarters, unseen by visitors, followed by cheers when he reemerged.

Ke Ke, the female panda, munched on bamboo in a separate den adjoining An An’s. She maintained her composure while lounging in a giant wooden chair resembling a queen’s throne.

Anthony Mezzatesta, a visitor from the United States, shared his enthusiasm after leaving the hall.

He said it was his first time seeing the iconic black-and-white bears in person. “My girlfriend, who’s from Shanghai and is a huge panda fan, has been following the news about the two baby pandas,” he said. “She’s an even bigger fan than I am.”

When asked if the presence of pandas can significantly enhance Hong Kong’s global appeal, Mezzatesta replied: “Absolutely”, citing their limited numbers outside the Chinese mainland.

Hong Kong had launched a city-wide naming contest to rename An An and Ke Ke with more than 22,000 proposals submitted, but it was announced on Saturday that the animals will continue to use their original names -- a decision that officials say symbolizes stability, safety, and boundless possibilities for the city.

“An” represents peace, while “Ke” signifies limitless possibilities in Chinese. Furthermore, “An Ke,” which sounds like “encore” in French, conveys the idea that good things will come in succession, symbolizing hopes for Hong Kong’s positivity and continued prosperity, officials said.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the SAR government will leverage the pandas to unite various sectors of society and introduce more panda-related promotional activities, offering residents and tourists unforgettable panda experiences.

Stephy Zhang contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com