CE spells out timetable for pandas

July 2, 2024

Chief Executive John Lee:

I know everybody is very excited by the likely and soon arrival of the pair of giant pandas.

I think the important thing is to ensure that the arrangement for the giant pandas’ arrival will be smooth and safe because I know that there will be quarantine requirements and all the necessary procedures need to be followed.

I would like to see the Hong Kong Government delegation make a trip, as soon as possible, to Sichuan, so that we can immediately discuss all the arrangements.

I know everybody will be interested to know of the details as soon as they are available. We will work hard on that, and I have been talking to the Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism to ensure that things will proceed as quickly as possible. We will make an announcement of the details once they are available.

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the central authorities again for this pair of giant pandas as a gift to Hong Kong, and I hope that we will be seeing their arrival within a few months.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said today that Hong Kong is expecting the arrival of two giant pandas from the Mainland within the coming few months.

At a media session ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Mr Lee stressed that the Government will ensure that all relevant arrangements, including quarantine procedures, are carried out in a smooth and safe manner.

“I would like to see the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation make a trip, as soon as possible, to Sichuan, so that we can immediately discuss all the arrangements.

“I have been talking to the Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism to ensure that things will proceed as quickly as possible. We will make an announcement of the details once they are available.”

The Chief Executive once again expressed his gratitude to the central authorities for gifting Hong Kong the pandas.