The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today the birth of the first Hong Kong-born pigeon pair of cubs by giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le.

Gifted by the Central People's Government to the Hong Kong SAR in 2007, Ying Ying and Le Le successfully mated at Ocean Park last March.

After a pregnancy period of nearly five months, Ying Ying gave birth to a pigeon pair of cubs at 2.05am and 3.27am today.

Chief Executive John Lee said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, making the birth of the cubs even more special.

He thanked the central government for gifting the giant pandas to the Hong Kong SAR which fully demonstrates its care and support for the city.

Mr Lee also thanked Ocean Park's team for taking good care of An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying and Le Le over the years, as well as the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) experts for their continuous support, which enabled Ying Ying and Le Le to give birth to the pair of cubs.

Ocean Park's animal care and veterinary teams, together with experts from the CCRCGP, are monitoring Ying Ying and her cubs round the clock until they are fully stable.