Tens of Millions of Views for Two Hong Kong-Born Pandas: A Masterclass in China's "Panda Economics"

In the summer of 2026, Ocean Park Hong Kong hosted a grand joint birthday celebration for six giant pandas. Crowds swarmed a towering, five-meter-tall "Panda Longevity Peach Mountain" photo installation, while visitors gathered in the exhibition gallery to watch touching video retrospectives chronicling the first two years of the park’s homegrown twin cubs, "Jia Jia" and "De De."

The five-meter-tall Giant Panda Peach Mountain features tiers of pink longevity peaches surrounded by six giant pandas. (Source: U Blog photo)

"Watching clips of Jia Jia and De De grow from tiny newborns into playful toddlers is so moving," said Ms. Li, a local panda enthusiast capturing the moment. "It feels like watching your own children grow up."

Hong Kong's first homegrown giant panda twins, Jia Jia and De De, celebrate their second birthday. (Source: Dotdotnews photo)

Born on August 15, 2024, the male-and-female twin cubs have been digital superstars since birth. On April 22 of this year, they made their official debut on CCTV's global iPanda channel, generating over 12 million views across domestic and international platforms. Notably, iPanda signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong Tourism Board in 2025 to co-produce a themed livestream series with Ocean Park, garnering 2.475 million single-day views across platforms. In the masterclass of "Panda Economics," Hong Kong's two-year-old twins have handed in a stellar report card.

The Global Lease of the "Four-Legged Money Magnet"

How lucrative is the panda business? Understanding the model requires looking at the rules: since 1982, China ceased gifting giant pandas outright, transitioning to 10-to-15-year scientific conservation research loans. Any cubs born during the lease term remain the property of China, while host institutions pay annual loan fees, insurance, and significant care costs. Yet global zoos eagerly line up for the opportunity due to astonishing returns: Xiang Xiang, a Japan-based panda at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, generated over 60 billion yen (approx. RMB 2.8 billion) in economic value during her six-year stay.

Japan-based giant panda Xiang Xiang. (Source: Xinhua photo)

Visitors line up at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo to bid farewell to Xiang Xiang. (Source: Xinhua photo)

In South Korea, merchandise sales linked to the beloved panda Fu Bao surged to 2.7 million items, a 60% year-on-year increase. Australia’s Adelaide Zoo saw annual attendance jump from 349,000 to 595,000 in its first year hosting pandas, while France’s Beauval Zoo saw annual visitors soar from 600,000 to 1.6 million. It is little wonder the media dubbed pandas "four-legged money magnets" and "living lucky cats."

The Homecoming Wave: A Two-Way Emotional Return

In the spring of 2023, overseas pandas set off a high-profile "homecoming wave": Japan's Xiang Xiang, Yong Ming, Ying Bang, and Tao Bang; America's Ya Ya; and the UK's Tian Tian and Yang Guang returned to China in succession. This was not a retreat driven by prohibitive care costs, but the natural fulfillment of loan agreements. Ya Ya, who resided in the US for 20 years, returned nearly a decade beyond the average lifespan of a wild panda—her return home capturing global headlines.

Even more significant is the reverse flow of fan engagement: international admirers are traveling to China specifically to visit their favorite pandas. At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the proportion of international tourists has risen steadily. CCTV's iPanda platform has amassed over 57.4 million global followers, broadcasting over 2 million livestream hours and accumulating nearly 70 billion content views. Chengdu even launched a "Panda Sleep Whisperer" recruitment campaign on TikTok, generating over 10 million views worldwide—proving that even when pandas return home, global audiences remain captivated.

Crowds of visitors gather at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. (Source: People's Daily Online Sichuan photo)

The Chengdu Blueprint: Panda Fever Accelerates

The domestic engine of panda economics continues to gain momentum. Xinhua reported that as of November 13, 2025, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding had hosted 487,100 foreign visitors that year alone—a 70.67% year-on-year surge, in an article titled "Global Tourists Flock to Chengdu for Pandas." According to the Chengdu Inbound Tourism White Paper published in May 2026, Chengdu's inbound tourist arrivals grew by 48.9% year-on-year in 2025, with the Panda Base ranking as the top attraction for international visitors, accounting for 64.9% of total visits. Travelers aged 15 to 44 comprised roughly 65% of the total, with Gen Z attendance jumping 63% year-on-year.

The cultural and creative metrics are equally impressive: in 2024, the base welcomed over 12.2 million total visitors, generating more than RMB 210 million in panda merchandise sales. Analysis from Qunar's Big Data Research Institute revealed that a single RMB 50 admission ticket generates an average of RMB 1,450 in regional spending across transportation, lodging, and dining. Viral panda star Huahua boasts immense retail pull, once driving a 906% surge in online merchandise sales. The broader industrial ecosystem continues to expand: Chengdu introduced a specialized "Panda Express" tourist train that completed 200 trips carrying nearly 100,000 passengers, while the city of Ya'an generated RMB 2.836 billion in tourism revenue from panda IP in 2024, boosting local heritage artisans' incomes by over RMB 20 million.

The exterior livery of the "Panda Express · Shifang" train, featuring a giant panda decal wearing a conductor's hat. (Source: People's Daily Online Sichuan photo)

Pandas: The Softest Dimension of Soft Power

This is indisputably the most charming chapter of the "Chinamaxxing" narrative. Giant pandas remain perhaps the only Chinese IP that transcends geopolitical divides, generates zero controversy, and commands universal affection worldwide—Japanese fans wept for Xiang Xiang, South Korean families embraced Fu Bao as one of their own, and Hong Kong residents watch Jia Jia and De De grow with maternal pride.

From the diplomatic gift of pandas sent by Empress Wu Zetian to Japan, to today's economic powerhouse in Chengdu where a RMB 50 ticket unlocks 29 times its value in local commerce, this iconic black-and-white mascot has achieved a brilliant synthesis of identities: it is a national treasure and a commercial powerhouse, a diplomatic bridge and a viral engagement key. With six resident giant pandas and the exclusive narrative of its homegrown twins, Hong Kong holds a front-row seat to this evolving phenomenon. The next time you walk past the five-meter-tall Longevity Peach Mountain at Ocean Park, take a moment to reflect: you are witnessing the gentle, heartwarming face of a multi-billion-dollar economic force.

Chinamaxxing

** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **

In recent years, foreign observers have gained a fresh perspective on modern China. As a CNN report noted in October 2024, pet cafés have become big business across the country: since China's first cat café opened in Guangzhou in 2011, the number of similar establishments has surged by 200% annually.

A cat café in Shenzhen. (Source: U Travel photo)

Research from global travel tech firm Amadeus reveals that vacationing with pets is rapidly becoming a mainstream global trend. Fred Barou, an Asia-Pacific senior executive at the firm, described the surge in pet tourism as "nothing short of amazing." When it comes to market vibrancy, China stands out as the most watched arena: the urban cat and dog population has reached 126 million—double the country's population of children under four (approx. 60 million). By 2025, China's urban pet market reached RMB 312.6 billion, with projections expecting it to top RMB 405 billion by 2028.

Pet owners shop alongside their "fur babies" inside a Beijing pet store. (Source: China Daily photo)

"Fur Babies" Enjoying Luxury Better Than Humans

What fascinates foreign media most is the unprecedented quality of life enjoyed by Chinese pets. An analysis by the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business highlighted that in tier-one hubs like Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu, pets can check into luxury pet hotels featuring air-conditioned suites and dedicated butler services. They can attend pet yoga classes, indulge in aromatherapies and hydro-spas, and even receive acupuncture rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Throwing lavish birthday parties for "fur babies" has evolved from a niche personal trend into a lucrative commercial sector. Mainland bakery titan Holiland launched its dedicated pet brand, "Holiland Pet," in February 2024, specializing in artisanal pet birthday cakes. Featuring 17 distinct designs priced between RMB 168 and 218 ($23–$30), each cake comes complete with accessories including candles, greeting cards, and birthday plaques, backed by an animal protein content exceeding 80%. One industry journal jokingly remarked that these pets "eat better than contemporary corporate workers." Alan, a specialized pet cake baker, shared that sculpting a custom cake requires three to five hours of meticulous handiwork—with intricate designs taking up to two full days. A tailored birthday cake has officially become a standard milestone for urban pet parenting.

A gourmet pet birthday cake from Holiland Pet. (Source: Sanxiang Metropolis Daily photo)

Smart Innovations Redefining Everyday Lifestyles

The other driving force behind China's pet economy is cutting-edge technology. At the 6th TOPS Pet Expo in June, AI cameras, automated water fountains, smart feeders, and robotic companion pets dominated the exhibition floor. A People's Daily report republished by Xinhua described how artificial intelligence is transforming pet ownership into a highly automated, hyper-refined experience.

Exhibition hall at the 6th TOPS Pet Expo. (Source: Xinhua photo)

Ms. Wang, a multi-cat owner in Beijing, utilizes a smart feeder equipped with facial recognition for cats. The device automatically dispenses tailored meal portions whenever a specific cat approaches, while a mobile app allows her to monitor feeding schedules and intake remotely during business trips. Tech giants like Xiaomi and Midea have aggressively entered the sector. During the 2024 "618" shopping festival, sales of smart odor eliminators, automated feeders, and self-cleaning litter boxes on Tmall surged two- to three-fold year-on-year. Anna, a Beijing white-collar professional, represents a typical consumer: nearly half of her "Double 11" shopping cart was dedicated to pet tech, including an automated feeder—"so I never have to worry about my cat going hungry when I'm traveling for work."

An automated pet feeder featuring AI cat facial recognition.

Cradle-to-Grave Service Ecosystems

Even more astonishing to international observers is the rapid professionalization of pet end-of-life care. In 2023, China's pet funeral service market reached RMB 1.825 billion, representing a 27.4% year-on-year surge. After paying RMB 1,000 for the cremation of her deceased dog "Zaizai," Ms. Liu in Beijing was guided by staff to observe the traditional "Seventh-Day" mourning ritual, ultimately spending RMB 3,500 on a memorial urn and ceremonial offerings.

Hongkongers' New "Weekend Getaway" Routine

Hong Kong residents are active participants in this trend. At the 13th Shenzhen Pet Expo in March 2025, Yu Ting, representative for pet brand "Miao Duo La," directly addressed Hong Kong's "poop-scoopers" (pet owners): "Head north for the weekend to visit the Shenzhen Pet Expo! You can score unbeatable deals and bring home premium gifts for your fur babies—it's incredibly cost-effective." Shenzhen now boasts over 88,000 pet-related commercial entities, generating an annual output value exceeding RMB 30 billion.

The Gentlest Face of "Chinamaxxing"

From cat cafés to smart feeders, and from air-conditioned luxury suites to dignified end-of-life care, what truly amazes foreign observers about China's pet economy is not merely its market scale, but a lifestyle philosophy that embraces pets as core family members. Nearly 86% of Chinese pet owners view their animals as family, with Gen Z and Millennials making up nearly 70% of the demographic.

This represents the gentlest, most human face of "Chinamaxxing": through the lens of pampered cats and dogs, the world catches a glimpse of a modern China that is not only prosperous and sophisticated, but deeply emotional and caring.