The Hong Kong Observatory kicked off a voting process on December 20 by which 20 names will make it to the reserve list of potential tropical cyclone names. The list of 40 names that voters must choose from comprises entries that are characteristic of Hong Kong and provided by the public earlier this year.
Voters can make their selections from names that pay homage to Hong Kong foods, such as Dim Sum, Red Bean and Milktea, or symbols representative of the city, such as Neon, Lantern, Sampan, and Junk Boat. Entries also include Jia Jia and An An — the famously long-lived giant pandas who resided at Ocean Park until their demise — as well as Ying Ying and Le Le, the park pandas who turned 18 this August.
In addition, several potential names reference flowers, trees, and birds found in Hong Kong, such as Hibiscus, Paperbark, and Egret, while some suggestions include beloved city traditions like Fo-lung (Fire Dragon Dance) and Sing-si (Lion Dance). Siu-lung, the stage name of the late Bruce Lee, is also among the list.
Since 2000, the 14 members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee has used a list to name tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea. The current list includes 10 names provided by Hong Kong, such as the Signal T8 Lion Rock that hit Hong Kong in October 2016, and Yun-yeung that affected Japan in September 2023.
When the Typhoon Committee requests that a name be retired due to serious casualties and economic losses, one of its member states will submit proposed replacement names to the for the committee’s consideration.
Voting for the names of tropical cyclones to make it to the reserve list is open until January 7, 2024. To cast your vote, click here.
Header image credits: janeb13 via Pixabay
