The central government will present another pair of pandas to Hong Kong to mark the 10th anniversary of the hand-over, the State Forestry Administration said Wednesday.

The State Council approved Chief Executive Donald Tsang's request for the animals. The State Forestry Administration and Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau have started the preparatory work, including the selection of pandas.

Senior officials from the State Forestry Administration also visited An An and Jia Jia, the two giant pandas the central government gave to Hong Kong in late 1999. Aged 18 and 26, An An and Jia Jia reside at the Ocean Park theme park and have fully integrated into the local community.

The Home Affairs Bureau said preparations on accommodation, transportation and quarantine arrangements are being worked out. Their care will also be entrusted to the Ocean Park.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2007)