The two giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, are expected to meet the public in December, the Government announced today.

The pandas are currently acclimatising to the new living environment and are in good condition.

To create a joyful atmosphere for welcoming the giant pandas, the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, jointly with the Tourism Board and Ocean Park, will organise a series of promotional activities. The new Hong Kong giant panda family will serve as the city's tourism ambassadors in promoting the “tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong” experience, attracting visitors from all over the world to Hong Kong and thus driving tourism development.

The bureau will also collaborate with various sectors of society and the tourism industry to launch various promotional initiatives. One of the key events is the HELLO PANDAS Carnival, an outdoor event themed around giant pandas to be held from December 11 to 21 at the Cultural Centre Piazzas. The carnival will be open to all for free and feature art installations, interactive performances, a cultural and creative fair and a photography exhibition.

The bureau and the Tourism Board also fully support the large-scale event PANDA GO! FEST HK hosted by a creative brand. A giant panda roving exhibition will be staged on three consecutive Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays starting December 7.

Additionally, the bureau and the Tourism Board will produce a new television promotional video themed on giant pandas. The board will use the same event theme stimulate a craze for giant pandas across the city.