Giant pandas Yalin (left) and Shurong at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province are chosen out of 55 candidates yesterday as gifts to Macao following three months of deliberation.[Xinhua]

A pair of giant pandas were selected yesterday as gifts from the central government to Macao after three months of deliberation.

A female panda, named Shurong, and a male, named Yalin, were chosen from 55 candidates who met the age requirement at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, said Zhang Zhihe, the base director.

They have no blood relations, get on well with each other and are at the prime years for breeding, he said.

The pandas, both 110 kilograms in weight, will be flown to Macao at the beginning of May, taking the place of two pandas previously sent as gifts. Male panda Kaikai and his partner Xinxin, who died of illness last year, arrived in Macao in 2010. It is not decided yet whether Kaikai will be returned.

According to Lan Jingchao, head of the base's veterinary hospital, Yalin, born in 2008, has large black patches around his eyes. He is strong, energetic, active as well as good at climbing.

Shurong, born in 2007, has a very round mouth, head, ear and body shape, which makes her seem like a rolling ball when playing.

The pandas have gone through three rounds of selection. After the first two rounds, which were conducted by experts from across the country, two pairs stood out based on criteria such as age, health and fertility. The final selection was conducted by representatives from Macao.

Panda pair picked as gifts for Macao