Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Zhou Ji today visited Ocean Park to officiate, alongside Chief Executive John Lee and Mrs Janet Lee, at the "Giant Panda Greeting Ceremony".

Speaking on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and members of the public, Mr Lee thanked the central government for recently gifting two more giant pandas to Hong Kong.

He said Hong Kong is honoured to have the largest number of giant pandas outside of the Mainland.

“The giant pandas mean a lot to Hong Kong in three perspectives. It demonstrates the central government's support and care to Hong Kong. It also sets an example of successful national conservation work. The giant panda is also an ambassador of both our country and Hong Kong."

Mr Lee also thanked the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, the National Forestry & Grassland Administration, and the Sichuan Provincial Government, for arranging for the pandas' arrival in Hong Kong and their acclimatisation to a new living environment.

The Chief Executive said the two pandas have settled quickly in their new environment since arriving in Hong Kong on September 26.

He added that they have stayed in good shape under the care of experts at Ocean Park and others from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.

Members of the public will be able to meet An An and Ke Ke from tomorrow. They can also meet Le Le, who recently became a father.

The Giant Panda Naming Competition and Giant Panda Painting Competition, organised by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, both attracted an enthusiastic response.

After considering over 22,600 submissions for the naming competition, the judging panel decided that the pandas' original names, An An and Ke Ke, will remain. 

In combination, the names "An" and "Ke" imply that good times lie ahead in the 27th year since Hong Kong's return to the motherland. 

During the ceremony, Mr Lee presented awards to winners of the two competitions.

Click here for more on the competitions.