Looking forward to a pair of pandas offered by the mainland, Taiwan is putting pictures of candidate pandas on the Internet and widely collecting names for them.

Zhang Jiazhi, person in charge of a cross-Straits panda raising association who had just returned from the panda protection and research center in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, told Legal Evening that the photos of candidate pandas and relevant information on the web will help Taiwan people get to know the pandas.

A local survey showed that over 73 percent Taiwan people are expecting the pandas.

Names to be announced by Taipei mayor

Zhang said his association would solicit public opinions widely through the Internet and telephone, asking people for their opinions of the coming pandas, what kind of panda they like and what names they prefer. The names will come out within two or three days if the public response is warm enough. The final names will be selected from the most recommended will be announced by Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou.

Zhang plans to go to Chengdu again at the turn of the month, carrying with him the set names. The association will select a pair of healthy pandas with the help of local experts. Relevant questions including raising fees and health are under discussion.

By People's Daily Online