A senior official announced in Shanghai Tuesday morning that the mainland compatriots have decided to present a pair of giant pandas to Taiwan compatriots as a symbol of peace, unity and friendship.

Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the announcement entrusted by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

He said giant pandas are known as gem of the Chinese nation and are loved by the Chinese and all people in the world alike. "For many years, the mainland compatriots have had the wish to present giant pandas to Taiwan compatriots, and many Taiwan compatriots have repeatedly expressed their expectations to see the cuddly pandas in Taiwan too," he said.

The Taiwan compatriots' desire for giant pandas to settle down on the island has become ever stronger now when the mainland tour of Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party Chairman Lien Chan and the forthcoming visit by People First Party (PFP) leader James Soong have helped deepen the affection between Chinese compatriots on the two sides of the Straits, said Chen.

"After discussions and coordination with all parties involved and with official ratification by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, I am authorized to announce here the mainland compatriots' decision to present a pair of giant pandas to Taiwan compatriots," he said early on Tuesday in the eastern metropolis.

"We hope the pandas, with their tame nature, air of nobleness and cuddly looks will bring joy and laughter to the Taiwan compatriots, children in particular," he said. "We hope Chairman Lien Chan and his KMT party, Chairman Soong and his PFP and all circles of the Taiwan society will make joint efforts to

facilitate acceptance of the donation. And we hope relevant Taiwan departments in charge of the issue will take into consideration the long-time expectations of the Taiwan compatriots and approve the donation."

Giant pandas are among the world's oldest and rarest mammals. A latest Chinese forestry survey says there are about 1,590 wild giant pandas in the wild and another 160 are kept at worldwide zoos.