Mainland´s panda pair ready to go

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A ceremony is being held there to mark the historical event  and wish the animals a safe journey.

Two staff, a panda keeper and a veterinarian, from the Wolong Nature Reserve will accompany the pandas to Taiwan. After arrival, the pair will be housed in a four-story building at the Taipei City Zoo. They will have the first floor and an outdoor playground to themselves. The mainland announced in May 2005 that it would donate two giant pandas to Taiwan. However,their departure has been delayed since then.

Improved cross-Strait ties have made their journey to Taiwan possible. Authorities in Taiwan say the pandas are expected to meet the public during the Spring Festival, in the Chinese lunar new year. But this will depend on how they adapt to their new environment.

Editor:Zhang Ning