HONG KONG DELEGATION TO HEAD TO SICHUAN TO ENSURE SAFE ARRIVAL OF 2 PANDAS, JOHN LEE SAYS

Hong Kong will send a delegation to Sichuan “as soon as possible” to ensure the smooth and safe arrival of two giant pandas gifted by Beijing on the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule, the chief executive has said.

John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday the delegation would meet with local officials and panda experts to discuss the relevant procedures, adding the bears would also need to undergo quarantine of at least 30 days before arriving in the city.

But the city leader stopped short of offering more details about the animals, such as their gender, their time of landing and whether a name selection contest would be held.

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“I know everybody is very excited about the likely and soon arrival of the pair of giant pandas, I am excited too. The most important thing is to ensure [the transfer] is smooth and safe,” Lee said before meeting top advisers from the Executive Council.

“I would like to see the Hong Kong government delegation make the trip as soon as possible to Sichuan, so we can immediately discuss the arrangements.”

Lee said the government was working hard to obtain more information regarding the pandas which “everybody will be interested to know”.

He added that he had tasked tourism chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung to make sure things would proceed “as quickly as possible”.

On Monday, Lee revealed that two pandas, a symbolic gift from Beijing, would arrive within months.

The government said the national treasures would be cared for by Ocean Park and that arrangements were being discussed with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

More from South China Morning Post:

• Bear necessities: here’s what you need to know about giant pandas coming to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong marks July 1 handover anniversary with celebrations, discounts and gifts from Beijing

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2024-07-02T04:56:50Z dg43tfdfdgfd