Preparations for choosing two giant pandas as gifts of the Chinese mainland to Taiwan are underway in the world-known giant panda research center in southwestern Sichuan Province, a government spokesman said in Beijing Wednesday.

"We will select a giant panda couple aged between one and a half years to four years that are artificially bred in the center and with sound fertility," said spokesman Cao Qingyao of the State Forestry Administration.

Once the giant pandas are selected, "we will solicit names for them, their infant names from the mainland people and their formal names from the Taiwan people," Cao told a press conference held by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

On the mainland side, the China Wildlife Conservation Association will be responsible for talks with related authorities in Taiwan.

"We hope the two sides will start talks as soon as possible," he said.

The mainland welcomes Taiwan technicians to come to learn giant panda breeding and reproduction technologies and could also send experts to Taiwan for technical service if it is necessary, he added.

The spokesman also expressed the belief that with the climate in Taiwan similar to that in the southern mainland, there are enough bamboo to meet the needs of the giant pandas.

"Under the good care of the Taiwanese compatriots, the giant pandas will surely grow well and have their descendants," Cao said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2005)