Chief Executive John Lee and his wife Janet Lee today attended the Giant Panda Twin Cubs Greeting Ceremony at Ocean Park.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda and the park’s animal care team have taken excellent care of the giant panda twin cubs and provide professional postnatal care to Ying Ying after she gave birth to the cubs.

He added that the birth of the twin cubs not only solidifies the outstanding achievements of the country in giant panda conservation, but also demonstrates Ocean Park's leading position as an important conservation and education base in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee noted that with the country's efforts over the years, giant pandas have been downgraded from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable” on the global list of species at risk of extinction, representing the success of its conservation work.

“Together with our country, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to advance and promote conservation of giant pandas and thereby tell the good stories of our country, Hong Kong and the giant pandas."

The giant panda cubs were born on August 15 last year and their parents - Ying Ying and Le Le - were gifted by the central government to Hong Kong in 2007. The first pair of giant pandas born in the city, they have grown healthily at their habitat in Ocean Park.

The Chief Executive also announced at the ceremony the launch of the Giant Panda Twin Cubs Naming Competition.

Organised by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and co-organised by Ocean Park Corporation, the competition is open for entries until March 7. The competition results will be announced in the first half of this year.

Starting from tomorrow, the public can visit the twin cubs at Ocean Park as well as the other four members of the Hong Kong giant panda family.