Hong Kong leader heading to Sichuan reserve after Beijing gives city 2 pandas
- News of the gift announced on Monday as city celebrated 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a delegation to Sichuan province on Sunday to discuss the arrangements for two giant pandas Beijing has given to the city.
The government said on Friday that the provincial government had invited Lee and his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim to the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre to meet provincial leaders and visit local facilities.
The two animals, with age and sex to be announced, will be added to the collection of Ocean Park in Southern district where giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le live.
The new pandas will be the third pair Beijing has given the city since 1999. News of the gift was announced on Monday as the city celebrated the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.
Lee thanked the Sichuan government, saying: “To herald the importance of this, my wife and I will visit Sichuan in person. I will meticulously deliberate on and understand the preparatory work for receiving the two new members of the Hong Kong family. The government will endeavour to make good arrangements for welcoming the giant pandas,” Lee said.
The delegation will include Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Mickey Lai Kin-ming and Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee.
Lee and his wife will return to the city on Tuesday.
