Chinese ambassador: Pandas will contribute to friendship between two countries

BEIJING, May 13 -- A pair of Chinese giant pandas will soon arrive in Malaysia as a gesture to further develop understanding and friendship between the two peoples, said Chinese ambassador Huang Huikang while visiting the Giant Panda House at the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo.

Huang noted the friendship between China and Malaysia dates back to 600 years ago, when the great voyager Zheng He brought to Malaysia China's cultural tradition and willingness to build a peaceful world.

The pandas would be on loan for 10 years to Malaysia.

As special envoys and symbols of friendship, they will play an important role in further strengthening bilateral ties and developing all-round cooperation between the two countries, Huang said.

Huang spoke highly of Malaysia’s efforts in welcoming the pandas. “Right now, all is ready except the most crucial part. Let's wish a happy life for the pandas after their arrival in Malaysia.”

Muhammad Danial Felix, director of Kuala Lumpur National Zoo, said Malaysia will do everything to cooperate with China to make sure the two pandas stay healthy in Malaysia. After their arrival, the zoo will hold a grand welcoming ceremony for them.

Malaysia Panda Museum has sent eight staff to study abroad, and to China Sichuan province to visit and stay for a month with “Fu Wa”(Lucky) and “Feng yi”(Phoenix), the two giant pandas, the curator said.

China will also dispatch two experts to Malaysia to stay with the pandas for at least three months. The Panda Museum will send specialist to monitor their behavior for 24 hours a day in order to take very good care of them, the curator added.

“Fu Wa”(Lucky) and “Feng yi”(Phoenix) will be renamed after their arrival. The contest for picking their names has officially closed. The picked names will be released after their arrival

Malaysia Panda Museum started constructing on April 11, 2013, occupying 6,475 square meters and costing over 20 million Ringgit (about 6.1 million U.S. dollars). It includes three main exhibition rooms, gym, bedroom, kitchen, laboratory, veterinary clinic, brooder house, nursing room and security room.