Giant panda pair gifted to HK to arrives on Sept 26: sources

The pair of giant panadas gifted to Hong Kong by Beijing are expected to arrive in the city on September 26, while the tourism chief will travel to Sichuan on Thursday to attend the signing ceremony for the cooperation agreement.

Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, will depart for Chengdu tomorrow (Aug 15) to follow up on the arrangement for the pandas' arrival. Representatives from Ocean Park will also join the delegation.

During the visit, Yeung will tour the cultural and creative industries zone in Chengdu. 

According to sources, the new pandas between five and eight years old -- a male weighing around 120 kg and a female weighing about 100 kg -- are expected to arrive in Hong Kong on September 26. 

They will have to undergo a 30-day quarantine and acclimation period before being presented to the public. 

While the pandas already have names, the government is considering whether to launch a public naming event for the new pair.