A pair of young and healthy giant pandas chosen for Hong Kong (with photos/video)

A pair of young and healthy giant pandas chosen for Hong Kong (with photos/video)
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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui, today (March 20) expressed his deepest gratitude to the Central People's Government (CPG) and the State Forestry Administration (SFA) for their tremendous support in selecting a pair of young and healthy giant pandas for Hong Kong.

The CPG will give another pair of giant pandas, chosen from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan, as a gift to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

Shortly after the visit by Mr Hui to Sichuan between March 8 and 10, the SFA today announced that two vivacious, healthy and fertile giant pandas born in the Research Centre in 2005 had been selected as the gift to Hong Kong. Mr Hui was thankful to the SFA and Research Centre for their enthusiastic response.

"I am particularly glad to learn that the new pair of giant pandas meets all the requirements put forward by Hong Kong," he said, adding that he believed the new pandas would be able to fulfil their mission of building a happy family in Hong Kong.

"The people of Hong Kong are looking forward to the arrival of the giant pandas. The SAR Government and Ocean Park will continue to work closely with the SFA and the Research Centre on the necessary arrangements for the smooth and timely arrival of the pair of China's national treasures," Mr Hui said.

As a welcome gesture and to show the love and enthusiasm of Hong Kong people for the new giant pandas, an open competition will be organised to invite the public to suggest names for the new pair of giant pandas. Details of the competition will be announced by the end of March.

According to work schedule, the giant pandas will arrive in Hong Kong towards the end of April or early May. Allowing time for the giant pandas to adapt to their new living environment in Ocean Park, the Hong Kong public should be able to visit them from July 1, 2007.

Ends/Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 10:50

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