Jockey Club donates over HK$121 million to support expansion and enhancement of giant panda habitat at Ocean Park

After the birth of the first-ever locally-born giant pandas, another pair of giant pandas, which are national treasures, will soon arrive in Hong Kong as a gift from the Central Government. In support, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust today (24 September) is pleased to announce an approved donation of over HK$121 million to upgrade animal habitats within the “Giant Panda Adventure” and “Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures”. These will provide a high quality, safe, age-appropriate and more natural living habitat for giant pandas living in the Park, including snow features and landscape restoration. The donation will also support the expansion of the “Giant Panda Adventure” as well as educational programmes for students from underprivileged backgrounds, enabling them to visit the giant pandas at Ocean Park.

The Trust’s donation will support the expansion and upgrading of animal habitats within “Giant Panda Adventure”, providing giant pandas living in the Park with an even better living environment.

The Trust’s donation will support the expansion and upgrading of animal habitats within “Giant Panda Adventure”, providing giant pandas living in the Park with an even better living environment. The first two photos, show Le Le enjoying his meal in the “Giant Panda Adventure”.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to promoting sustainable development, conserving local biodiversity, and educating the community about the importance of environmental and ecosystem protection. This is why the Club has been pleased to support Ocean Park from the very beginning, and in particular its environmental conservation and education programmes. Through the upgraded and expanded facilities at Ocean Park, as well as the accompanying programmes, it is hoped that the community, especially young people, learn to appreciate our natural environment and the amazing national treasures which are our giant pandas.

The Trust’s donation will support the expansion and upgrading of animal habitats within “Giant Panda Adventure”, providing giant pandas living in the Park with an even better living environment. The first two photos, show Le Le enjoying his meal in the “Giant Panda Adventure”.

The Trust’s donation will also support the upgrading of facilities in the “Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures”.

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park’s construction and initial operations were supported by the Club. In 1998, the Club’s Charities Trust funded the construction of the “Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat” to house An An and Jia Jia, the two giant pandas given by the Central Government to mark the second anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. After renovation and expansion in 2012, it was renamed the “Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures” and subsequently served as the home for the giant pandas and two Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys, Le Le and Hu Hu, on loan from the Chengdu Zoo in Sichuan. The “Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures” is currently the home of two Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys Le Le and Qi Qi. The Club has also supported community projects organised by Ocean Park, including the “Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme” and the “Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme”, aimed at fostering awareness among students and the community about rare animal species, including national treasures like giant pandas. With this latest donation, 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 Trust’s donation will also support the upgrading of facilities in the “Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures”.

Opened in 1977, Ocean Park’s construction and initial operations were supported by the Club. With this latest donation, 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 TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

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

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.