Hong Kong is about to be invaded by more than 120 giant bears - but all in the name of warmth, peace, love and solidarity.
The two-metre, 48kg bears were created under the United Buddy Bears Project initiated by Klaus Herlitz and his wife in Germany in 2002 and are about to come to Hong Kong as part of a world tour.
The couple wanted to create a symbol representing understanding and tolerance among nations. A group of 120 artists from different countries was invited to design buddy bears which first went on display in Berlin in 2002. Hong Kong is the first stop of the Asian tour.
Local artists including Freeman Lau, Kan Tai-keung, Kwok Mang-ho and singer Gigi Leung Wing-kei, were also invited to design a bear incorporating the theme of love and peace.
Local artist Ng Yuen-wa designed clothing that features Chinese pavilions and a lotus pond.
'Chinese garden landscapes champion peace and tranquillity, bliss and harmony,' she said.