China plans to deliver a pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong as early as next month to mark the 10th anniversary of the city's return to Chinese sovereignty, officials announced today. According to the Associated Press, the giant pandas, born in 2005 at China's giant panda breeding centre in Sichuan province, could arrive at Hong Kong's Ocean Park theme park more than two months ahead of the July 1 anniversary. Ocean Park is already home to two giant pandas, An An and Jia Jia, given to Hong Kong by China as a gift in 1999. They are one of the park's main attractions although they have not produced any offspring. The younger pandas were also expected to be popular. "They will become a big draw and bring pleasure to visitors - Hong Kong people and tourists alike," said Hong Kong Chief Secretary Rafael Hui, who visited the Sichuan reserve today. "Their presence will also reaffirm our efforts in conserving, caring and rearing giant pandas locally," he added. Giant pandas bred at the Sichuan reserve are sometimes hired to overseas zoos by the Chinese government for annual fees of around 1 million US dollars a pair. -- SPA
