HK advance team arrives at Sichuan panda base yesterday

The Central Government has agreed to gift another pair of giant pandas to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). According to a report by Ta Kung Pao, the advance team from the HKSAR government arrived at the Dujiangyan base of the Sichuan Giant Panda Protection and Research Center yesterday afternoon (July 2).

Sichuan authorities revealed that both sides will establish a special task force to coordinate the specific arrangements for the panda transfer.

In a recent interview with Wen Wei Pao, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung, mentioned that the HKSAR government will send a delegation to Sichuan soon, with a high probability of him leading the team.

According to a television program, Yeung and the HKSAR delegation will head to Sichuan within a few days to discuss the details and preparations for the pandas' arrival in Hong Kong with relevant mainland departments. These discussions will include transportation, quarantine, and naming arrangements.

The report indicates that the exact pair of giant pandas to be gifted has yet to be determined and will require on-site selection. However, preparatory work is already underway, including ensuring the health and safety of the pandas during transport. This involves custom-made transport cages, sufficient fresh bamboo and bamboo shoots, and appropriate medical care plans.

When the pandas travel to Hong Kong, Sichuan will also send caretakers and veterinary experts to accompany them, monitoring their physiological indicators throughout the flight, according to the report.