Hong Kong delegation to head to Sichuan to ensure safe arrival of 2 giant pandas: John Lee

Delegation to meet officials, panda experts to discuss procedures as animals will need to undergo quarantine, city leader says

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Giant panda Ying Ying at Ocean Park. Beijing has gifted an additional pair of pandas to Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee

Published: 11:31am, 2 Jul 2024Updated: 12:55pm, 3 Jul 2024

Hong Kong will send a delegation to mainland China “as soon as possible” to ensure the smooth arrival of two giant pandas gifted by Beijing to mark the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, the chief executive has said.

John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday the delegation would meet officials and panda experts in Sichuan province to discuss transfer procedures and that the bears would also need to undergo quarantine for at least 30 days.

But he did not give more details about the animals, such as their gender, time of arrival and whether a contest to choose names would be held.

“I know everybody is very excited about the likely and soon arrival of the pair of giant pandas – I am excited too,” Lee said ahead of a regular meeting of the government’s key decision-making Executive Council.

“The most important thing is to ensure [the transfer] is smooth and safe.

“I would like to see the Hong Kong government delegation make the trip as soon as possible to Sichuan so we can immediately discuss the arrangements.”

Lee said the government was working hard to get more information on the pandas which “everybody will be interested to know”.