Following the public debut of two giant pandas gifted by the Central Government in December lastyear, the first-ever locally born pandas cubs will meet the public starting from tomorrow (16 February) at Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure habitat.
Last year, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust approved a donation of over HK$121 million to upgrade the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures and to expand the Giant Panda Adventure habitat. This included the addition of snowing features and landscape restoration, providing a high quality, safe, age-appropriate and more natural living habitat for the giant pandas. In addition to adult pandas An An and Ke Ke, Ying Ying and Le Le, the twin cubs making their first public appearance tomorrow will also benefit from the improved facilities. The Charities Trust’s donation will additionally support educational programmes for students from underprivileged backgrounds,enabling them to visit the giant pandas at Ocean Park.
The giant panda twins will meet the public for the first time tomorrow. They will live and flourish in the expanded and upgraded Giant Panda Adventure, which features new habitats supported by the Charities Trust’s donation. Above, Le Le enjoys his meal in the Giant Panda Adventure.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is committed to promoting sustainable development. The Club funded Ocean Park’s construction and initial operations after it opened in 1977. In 1998, the Charities Trust funded construction of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat, which was later renovated and renamed Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures. The Club has also supported community projects such as the Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme and the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, aimed at fostering awareness of rare animal species, including national treasures including giant pandas. To date, the Club and its Charities Trust has approved a total of over HK$900 million in donations to support Ocean Park’s development and operations.
The Club’s support for Ocean Park, like all its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions,charity support and employment opportunities for the community.
The giant panda twins will meet the public for the first time tomorrow. They will live and flourish in the expanded and upgraded Giant Panda Adventure, which features new habitats supported by the Charities Trust’s donation. Above, Le Le enjoys his meal in the Giant Panda Adventure.
Solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Museum of History from tomorrow until 7 July 2025. Featuring over 130 pieces and sets of priceless artifacts, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the robust development and unique culture of China during the Qin and Han periods. The exhibition is also one of the activities being held in celebration of the Club’s 140th anniversary.
Guests tour “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition.
The opening ceremony was held today (15 April) with officiating guests including Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Qi Bin, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Qian Jikui, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration; Martin Liao, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Raistlin Lau, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Professor Douglas So, Chairman of Museum Advisory Committee; and Manda Chan, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services.
Chan Kwok-ki, HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration (centre); Qi Bin,Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR 3rd left); Qian Jikui, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration (3rd right); Martin Liao, the Club’s Deputy Chairman (2nd left); Raistlin Lau, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (2nd right); Professor Douglas So, Chairman of Museum Advisory Committee (1st right); and Manda Chan, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (1st left) at the “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition opening ceremony.
Martin Liao, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The Club has actively supported the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in organising exhibitions under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series, enhancing our city’s cultural vibrancy while also attracting visitors from around the world to explore exhibitions steeped in Chinese culture, elevating their artistic and cultural experience. Through a variety of arts and cultural activities, we aim to promote outstanding Chinese culture and develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.”
Martin Liao, the Club’s Deputy Chairman, delivers a speech at the “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition.
Following on from “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Ancient Civilisation of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province”, this new exhibition is the second programme of the General History of China Series, co-presented by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Chinese Culture Promotion Office. The meticulously curated artifacts include figures from the iconic terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shihuang, warrior and animal figurines belonging to the Emperor Jing of Han, chariot components and architectural items. Together, these artefacts highlight the political, economic, cultural, technological and cross-border developments during the Qin and Han dynasties – presenting the vibrant charm of the unified dynasties. Showcasing over 20 sets of archeological finds from Hong Kong, the exhibition also sheds light on the region’s historical development during the period, offering a deeper perspective on the connection between the seat of power and Hong Kong.
Guests tour “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition.
In addition to presenting precious relics, the exhibition incorporates multimedia elements through education programmes to provide visitors with a more engaging experience.Visitors can explore the attire and designs of the terracotta warriors, understand Chinese characters of the Qin and Han eras and the design of architectural components, decode Lingnan boat patterns, and measure themselves in standardised Qin and Han units. An interactive education zone features vibrant displays, animations and interactive games that vividly portray the development of the Lingnan region during the Qin and Han dynasties.The exhibition will also include a series of educational and outreach activities to provide the public with a comprehensive understanding of its core themes.
Selected exhibits from “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series is the result of a partnership between the Club and the LCSD. Launched in 2012, this series has brought world-class exhibitions to Hong Kong, enabling visitors to appreciate masterpieces from different places, times and cultures. The exhibitions are complemented by various education and outreach activities. Recent exhibitions include “Fragrance of Time — In Search of Chinese Art of Scent”, and “Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World — Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay” which is currently underway at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Selected exhibits from “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition.
