Coming-out birthday party in works for panda cub twins

Stacy Shi

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the cuddly Hong Kong-born giant panda twins that will become six months old on February 15 will star in an eagerly-awaited debut ceremony.

The panda cubs will meet Hongkongers and tourists a day after that.

Speaking before the weekly Executive Council meeting yesterday, Lee said the cubs' public debut is among a series of Lunar New Year celebrations, when the SAR is expected to welcome more than 1.4 million mainland tourists.

The public will have the chance to name the twin brother and sister cubs, with details to be announced in due course.

"We hope to share the joy of this extended family with the public, and a naming event will create an atmosphere of warmth and happiness," he said.

Their mother Ying Ying gave birth to them at Ocean Park on August 15, just one day before her 19th birthday.

On general Lunar New Year festival arrangements, Lee said various departments, especially port management and immigration control, have been instructed to prepare for the mass influx.

The inter-departmental working group on festival arrangements led by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki is evaluating the need to extend operating hours at border crossings.

"They will assess demand and the actual circumstances as each festival is different and specific details will be disclosed this week," said Lee, who will visit residents in various districts, especially grassroots families, from Saturday to Tuesday with bureau and department heads.