The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today expressed gratitude to the central government for agreeing to gift another pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong, and has commenced preparatory work for welcoming them.
 
While expressing his deepest gratitude to the central government for gifting the pair of giant pandas to the city, Chief Executive John Lee pointed out that the gesture fully demonstrates the central government’s care and support for Hong Kong.
 
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which makes this gift even more special. The Hong Kong SAR Government will endeavour to make good preparations to welcome the giant pandas, he said.
 
Mr Lee also thanked the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the National Forestry & Grassland Administration (NFGA) for the assistance they provided on the matter.
 
The Chief Executive emphasised that the two pairs of giant pandas given by the central government in the past have accompanied generations of Hong Kong people, which is the collective memory of all.
 
The new pair of giant pandas will become close “family members” of Hong Kong people, bringing us laughter and joy, he added.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government has been in liaison with the HKMAO and the NFGA to discuss the arrival arrangements of the giant pandas. It will immediately get on with preparatory work to ensure Ocean Park is fully geared up in taking care of the pandas.
 
Apart from stating that it is confident the preparatory work will be completed smoothly, the Hong Kong SAR Government indicated that details of the arrangements for welcoming the giant pandas will be announced in due course.