Giant panda likely to join celebration for 10th anniversary of HK handover
Hong Kong is likely to get a giant panda next year to mark the 10th anniversary of the handover.
'We are working hard on this,' sources close to the planning of celebrations said. 'There should be at least one new panda coming to town next year.'
The sources said Hong Kong and mainland authorities were exploring 'retirement' arrangements for An An and Jia Jia, the two pandas who are top attractions at Ocean Park. 'But they will probably stay in town rather than be returned to Sichuan.'
An An, 19, and Jia Jia, 28, are getting on. Jia Jia, one of the oldest pandas in captivity, has exceeded the average lifespan of 24 years.
The park, which last year made a request to the mainland authorities for two young pandas, wants to expand its Panda House to accommodate any new additions.
Officials in Beijing said earlier they were ready to send a replacement if one of the pandas died.
An Ocean Park spokeswoman declined to comment, saying the matter was being handled by the government.
Giant pandas, a national treasure, have often been used as gifts to foreign countries and as diplomatic pawns. In April, Beijing offered two pandas to Taiwan, an offer rejected by the island's leader, Chen Shui-bian.
The 10th anniversary celebrations will be marked by a visit from President Hu Jintao .
Apart from officiating at the event, Mr Hu will also preside at the inauguration ceremony for the next chief executive on July 1. It is understood the government also aims to have the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor opened during the anniversary.
Officials are now drafting a master plan of celebratory activities, including an exhibition of national treasures, a concert by a national orchestra, a world-class soccer game and fireworks.
There have been reports that soccer clubs Chelsea or Barcelona, or the Brazilian national team, will play in Hong Kong next summer.
'Details of the activities have not yet been decided,' the sources said.
