bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

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.



Giant panda likely to join celebration for 10th anniversary of HK handover