On Dec. 18th, a farewell ceremony for two giant pandas was held in Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding. The two pandas, Kai Kai and Xin Xin, were given by China s central government as a gift to Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). Hua Jian, deputy director of the State Council s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Yin Hong, deputy director of the State Forestry Administration, Gao Yan, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People s Government in the MSAR, and Wei Hong, executive deputy governor of Sichuan province addressed the ceremony.
Luo Yongde, vice-chairman of MSAR Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau, attended the ceremony.
Wei Hong introduced giant panda breeding researches in our province and MSAR s support in our post-disaster reconstruction. He said that after 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake, Macao compatriots gave immediate help in our earthquake relief work and post-disaster reconstruction. They donated 5.5 billion pataca to carry out 105 reconstruction projects and benefited more than 20 million people, fully reflecting close blood tie between Macao compatriots and people in mainland, especially in Sichuan.
In the past two years, Sichuan and Macao have set up a good communication and coordination machanism which enabled a smooth progress of all projects. The good wishes of Macao compatriots are turning into reality. Wei expressed that Sichuan is very grateful for Macao s help and deep friendship towards Sichuan.
The arrival of Kai Kai and Xin Xin, two giant pandas representing Sichuan people s gratitude and deep feelings, will further deepen the friendship and let Macao compatriots know more about Sichuan, the hometown of giant pandas.
After the ceremony, Kai Kai and Xin Xin set out for Macao by Air China s chartered plane. The panda pavilion in Macao will hold opening ceremony one month later and Macao compatriots will finally meet the fluffy pair.
Officials from Sichuan s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan Forestry Department, and Chengdu City attended the farewell ceremony.
