HONG KONG — On Saturday, a vibrant crowd gathered in Hong Kong to witness the city’s inaugural pyrotechnics drone show, organized as part of an initiative aimed at promoting awareness and support for panda conservation efforts.

This impressive 10-minute display featured a coordination of 1,000 drones, with some carrying fireworks, as they danced above Victoria Harbour, creating mesmerizing images reminiscent of the city’s beloved giant pandas.

Throughout the event, several drones released fireworks, while a captivating three-dimensional depiction of a panda gracefully rotated in the evening sky.

Many enthusiastic attendees arrived several hours early to secure prime spots for viewing this spectacular performance.

Eddie Chow, a father who attended the show with his two children, expressed that such events could significantly increase tourist interest in Hong Kong. “The execution was fantastic; the combination of fireworks and drones provides a unique theme. Hong Kong should host more activities like this,” he remarked, mentioning that this was his first experience at a drone show.

Jodi Hung, a young local in her twenties, echoed Chow’s sentiments, describing the drone show as “great.” She praised the design team for their impressive skill, noting, “The engineers and artists behind this event merged creativity with technology in remarkable ways.”

In the weeks leading up to this event, Hong Kong has rolled out a variety of activities throughout the city, including exhibitions and a panda-themed carnival, following the recent gift of two giant pandas, named An An and Ke Ke, from Beijing. This addition brings the total number of giant pandas in Hong Kong to six, all residing at the Ocean Park, which features an array of amusement rides and animal exhibits.