Panda pair unveiled to S Korean public

South Korean performing artist Bae Suzy presents Panda World in Everland resident IDs for the Chinese giant panda pair Le Bao, a 3-year-old male, and Ai Bao, a 2-year-old female. Everland, the largest theme park in South Korea, is about 40 km from the capital, Seoul.[Photo/Xinhua]

A pair of Chinese giant pandas that arrived in South Korea in early March, were unveiled on Thursday to the South Korean public after an approximate 50-day adjustment period.

The 3-year-old male named Le Bao and the 2-year-old female Ai Bao, whose names mean pleasant and lovely treasures, made their public appearance at the 3,300-square-meter Panda World in Everland, South Korea's largest theme park located around 40 kilometers from the capital Seoul.

Attending the opening ceremony were about 400 journalists and officials from both countries, including Qiu Guohong, Chinese ambassador to Seoul, South Korean Culture and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok and Gyeonggi province Governor Nam Kyung-pil.

Kim expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government for sending the pandas. The pair will serve as goodwill ambassadors for improved relations between the two countries.

Everland expects the pandas to help increase visitors to the theme park, appointing them as honorary employees.

The panda pair arrived in South Korea on March 3 on a 15-year lease.

Joint research will be conducted by Everland and China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Everland installed thermostatic and humidity equipment and planted familiar trees in Panda World to simulate the environment in Sichuan.

The center heads China's international panda research and cooperation program and has sent 32 pandas to 12 zoos and parks in 10 countries and regions since the 1990s.