Li Weiyi, the spokesman, said at a regular press conference that the Taiwan compatriots raised the expectation of seeing pandas on the island as early as in the 1980's. However, the expectation has not been satisfied for some reasons from the Taiwan authorities.

He said donating pandas to Taiwan compatriots demonstrated mainland people's affection and good will for the Taiwan compatriots.

Since the Chinese mainland announced to donate pandas to the island, the Taiwan compatriots have widely expressed their wish to see the pair of pandas as soon as possible, which illustrated the desires of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Li said since the mainland announced to donate pandas to Taiwan on May 3, 2005, mainland's experts and departments concerned had made full preparation. The Wildlife Conservation Association on the mainland hoped to see earlier resettlement of the pair of pandas on Taiwan island through communication and negotiation with the Taiwan counterparts.

"The compatriots across the Taiwan Straits, especially the Taiwan compatriots, earnestly expected the pair of pandas to settle down on the island. We hoped the Taiwan authorities not to run against the will of Taiwan compatriots," said Li.

Li welcomed compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as overseas Chinese to participate in the infant name collection activity for the donated pandas, adding that the infant names of the pair of pandas will be selected through voting and the result will be announced at the zero hour of the first day of the Lunar New year on the Evening Party of the Spring Festival held by the China Central Television Station.

Some Taiwan compatriots have given the pair of donated pandas nicknames, such as Zhiming and Chunqiao, or Daji and Dali.

"The panda names given by the Taiwan compatriots will be fully considered by the departments concerned," said Li.