HONG KONG - Hong Kong is set to welcome a pair of giant pandas from the Chinese mainland, announced Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at a reception to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the special administrative region on Monday morning.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said preparatory work for welcoming the giant pandas had started without giving any date for their arrival.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the central government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for our city. 

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive, HKSAR

Speaking at a packed Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Lee said, "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the central government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the HKSAR, which fully demonstrates its care and support for our city. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which makes this gift even more special."

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In his speech, Lee also thanked the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for their assistance.

The CE spoke about how two pairs of giant pandas gifted earlier by the central government had woven their way into the collective memory of generations of Hong Kong people who adored them.

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In 2022, Hong Kong went into mourning when the world's oldest male panda in captivity died in the Ocean Park zoo. Born in the wild in Sichuan, An An, together with its female mate Jia Jia, was gifted to Hong Kong by the central government in 1999. An An, was euthanized at the age of 35 - the equivalent of a human living till 105.

Two more pandas - Ying Ying and Le Le - also gifts from the central government, remain at the Ocean Park zoo.