Macau pandas receive new names: Hoi Hoi & Sam Sam
At the welcoming bouquet in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Macau SAR, President Hu Jintao announced that the Central People’s Government had decided to send a couple of giant pandas to Macau as tokens of goodwill from the motherland, in complement of Macau’s fortune and joy.
A team of experts from the State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China selected “Shu Xiang” and “Qi Miao” in April 2010, as the two giant pandas coming to Macau.
The construction work of the Panda Habitat in Seac Pai Van Park is in progress according to the plan, thanks to the efforts of many related parties. The habitat is expected to open to public in December this year, as previously scheduled.
Welcoming giant pandas is not only the job of the Macau SAR government; Macau citizens also have a part to play. Both the naming and voting events were designed to engage all Macau citizens in receiving the giant pandas.
From August 2 to 23, more than 56700 residents picked their favourite pair among five alternatives and almost 26,600 did so through the Internet. The male panda, whose birth name is Shu Xiang, will now be called “Hoi Hoi”. The female panda, originally called Qi Miao, will go by the name of “Sam Sam”.
In combination, “Hoi Hoi” and “Sam Sam” highlight the cheerful disposition of the giant pandas to come to Macau, and form a straightforward expression of the delight of the Macau SAR in receiving the giant pandas from the Central People’s Government. These names are preferred for their simplicity, memorability, easiness on the tongue and merriment to the ear and heart. The names also embody Macau citizens’ wish that the pair of “national treasure” be happy living in Macau.
Source: http://www.macaupanda.org.mo/e/news/Detail.aspx?id=b0e9274c-4094-4379-8c64-b27ab88ccedf
