Hong Kong leader heading to Sichuan reserve after Beijing gives city 2 pandas

The new pandas will be the third pair Beijing has given the city since 1999. News of the gift was announced on Monday as the city celebrated the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.

Lee thanked the Sichuan government, saying: “To herald the importance of this, my wife and I will visit Sichuan in person. I will meticulously deliberate on and understand the preparatory work for receiving the two new members of the Hong Kong family. The government will endeavour to make good arrangements for welcoming the giant pandas,” Lee said.

The delegation will include Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Mickey Lai Kin-ming and Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee.

Lee and his wife will return to the city on Tuesday.