Eastday.com
The two pandas that China agreed to loan to Singapore for joint research will be sent to the city-state late next year and meet visitors in early 2012, Singaporean officials said yesterday at the World Expo.
Lee Yi Shyan, Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Manpower, said the cooperation on panda research marks this year’s 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“The year 2010 is such a milestone for China and Singapore,” he said at a ceremony to celebrate Singapore’s National Day on Monday and the Singapore Pavilion Day, which was yesterday.
“To honor it, the two countries reached agreement on panda breeding, cultivation and study. China will loan a pair of pandas to Singapore for 10 years and both sides are building a compound for the precious animals.”
He said the two pandas will stay at River Safari park after the pandas adjust to the environment and local climate.
Singapore officials stressed the deep and close relationship between China and Singapore, claiming China is Singapore’s top choice for investment and Singapore is China’s fifth biggest country for investment.
China and Singapore have a long history of cultural and economic exchanges.
More Chinese have immigrated to Singapore and a growing number of Singaporeans come to China to study, work and live.
“Even during a global financial downturn, 1 million Chinese travelers visited Singapore last year and over 1 million Chinese are expected to visit Singapore this year, while nearly 1 million people from Singapore visit China for holidays every year,” Lee said.
To celebrate the pavilion day, today and tomorrow’s first 10,000 visitors will receive a souvenir pin and have a chance to participate in activities such as face painting.
A media show at the pavilion continues through August 21, giving visitors a multi-sensory media experience powered by cutting-edge technology.
A stereoscopic 3D racing game (3D TQ Motor) will allow players to blaze through the streets of downtown Singapore.