The Chinese mainland is soliciting pet names for the two giant pandas that have been singled out among 23 peers as gifts to the Taiwan compatriots.

An ideal name shall consist of two Chinese characters and fully embody the aspiration of Chinese compatriots across the Taiwan Straits, said Cao Qingyao, spokesman for the State Forestry Administration, at a press conference in Beijing Friday.

Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, overseas Chinese and all friendly personages are welcome to mull names for the two cuddly bears, he said.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association will be responsible for the name mulling project, which will last from now until 8:00 p.m. on Jan. 21.

The association has entrusted the People's Daily, China Central Television, China National Radio, China Green Times and two leading portals -- www.chinataiwan.org and www.sina.com -- to collect names suggested by the public, said its secretary-general Chen Runsheng.

"These media will publish the detailed requirements for the proposed names, which can either contain two different characters, such as Xiao Hua, or a repetition of the same, such as Rong Rong," said Chen.

"We'll shortlist 10 pairs of names which will be publicized at the Spring Festival gala on the Chinese Central Television on Jan. 28, the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year. The couple will be given the two names that receive most votes from TV viewers," said Cao.

Chinese people in the mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and other parts of the world have all taken delight in the mainland's decision to present a pair of giant pandas to the Taiwan compatriots, announced in May 2005, he said.

"Many individuals and organizations proposed names and composed songs for the giant panda couple even before they were selected," said Cao. "These have fully reflected the kinship between the Chinese compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits."

The giant panda couple who have stood out the final election, namely No. 19 (male) and No. 16 (female), both one year old, were selected from 23 candidates raised in the Wolong China Giant Panda Research Center in southwestern Sichuan Province.

They were known at Wolong as "Xiaoguaiguai", meaning "little darling", and "Huangmao Yatou", translating literally into "chit of a girl".

So far, the most popular names proposed in contests run by Chinese portals expressed the aspiration for peaceful reunification, such as "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan", which make up the words for "reunion" -- or "tuan yuan" in Chinese.

Other popular names suggested for the bears include "He He" and "Ping Ping", meaning peace; and "Ai Ai" and "Guo Guo", meaning patriotism.

Source: Xinhua