Malaysians get first glimpse of new giant panda pair

KUALA LUMPUR -- Giant pandas "Chen Xing" and "Xiao Yue" from China officially met the Malaysian public here on Saturday.

In a ceremony marking the event at the Giant Panda Conservation Center (GPC) at Zoo Negara, the country's national zoo, the pair met eager onlookers following their quarantine and acclimatization.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was the guest of honor. In his remarks at the ceremony, Anwar thanked China for the cooperation in the conservation of giant pandas, noting that they are hugely popular with the Malaysian public.