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John Lee hopes Hong Kong can welcome giant pandas by National Day on October 1

  • ‘I’m particularly happy to be here. I believe the public will share my excitement when the pair of pandas arrive in Hong Kong,’ city leader says

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Chief Executive John Lee arrived in Sichuan on Sunday. Photo: Facebook/John Lee

Hong Kong’s leader has said he will try to arrange for a pair of giant pandas to be sent to the city by National Day on October 1, as he led a delegation to Sichuan province to prepare for their arrival.

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the pledge on Monday after he and his wife, Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim, visited the Dujiangyan Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre.

While at the centre, Lee met the pair of giant pandas being gifted to Hong Kong and learned more about feeding and nursing the bears, as well as transfer arrangements.

“I’m particularly happy to be here. I believe the public will share my excitement when the pair of pandas arrive in Hong Kong and will hope to get close to them,” Lee said.

Asked whether the rare animals might arrive by National Day, Lee said he would surely “push for that to happen”.

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Lee led the delegation to Sichuan on Sunday to discuss preparations for the transfer of two giant pandas gifted to the city by Beijing as a part of the 27th handover anniversary celebrations.

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