DAB wants another giant panda to lure tourists, plans future Middle East visits

Hong Kong’s largest pro-establishment party’s vice-chair Brave Chan Yung believes the number of overseas tourists could double if Beijing sends another giant panda to the city to become an international ambassador.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) lawmaker said the move could help bolster the image and tell the good stories of China and Hong Kong if relevant arrangements can be made before the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

He also said he has growing confidence about the move when asked about the wishes of the mainland authorities during a media gathering on Tuesday, adding that Hong Kong needs to renew relevant facilities to build a more comfortable home for the giant pandas.

“Don’t be like the U.S. which slims down our national treasures by starving them,” Chan said.

Chan noted that the DAB has established a committee dedicated to serving the country and said the Central Authorities responded well to the numerous recommendations proposed during the Two Sessions meetings.

Another vice-chair Holden Chow Ho-ding hinted that the DAB will visit the Middle East in the future to have an exchange with the locals and “tell the good stories of Hong Kong” with an aim to foster Hong Kong’s economy.

Chow continued that the Middle East is very interested in the markets of Hong Kong and China but they don’t have sufficient information about the SAR, which is why the DAB wishes to strengthen communication with the business sector there.

The DAB will also bring back public opinions from the Middle East to Hong Kong so that the government will have a better idea on how to cater to the needs of tourists.

Chow added that the DAB also established another committee dedicated to communication, which has produced a number of videos in English explaining Hong Kong’s real situation to other countries and to refute the slander that targets the homegrown legislation Article 23.

The committee will put more effort into production to help the international community better understand the social and economic developments of the SAR, Chow said.