John Lee heads to Sichuan for panda arrangements

　　John Lee says he will visit the giant pandas and local facilities in Sichuan.

　　Chief Executive John Lee said on Sunday that he would work with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office to arrange the early arrival of two giant pandas in the SAR during his trip to Sichuan.

　　Lee announced on July 1 that the central government would send the pandas to the territory as gifts.

　　Speaking to reporters before his departure, the CE said he would visit the giant pandas as well as local facilities in the province.

　　“I would also like to thank the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office for sending leading officials to Sichuan and working with us to arrange the early arrival of the giant pandas in Hong Kong,” he said.

　　Lee and his delegation will visit the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.

　　Meanwhile, Starry Lee, Hong Kong's sole delegate to the country's top legislature, said she hoped the pandas could arrive before the National Day celebrations.

　　“If conditions allow, we can try to bring more than two pandas to Hong Kong for a short stay to see if they can adapt. Of course, in the end, we may have to choose the two pandas who have the most fun in Hong Kong to stay here,” she said.