Chief Executive John Lee has announced that two pandas the central government is giving Hong Kong as a gift will arrive on Thursday.

A welcome ceremony chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan will be held for the pandas at the airport.

Speaking to reporters before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lee said the pandas, both aged five, will be put into quarantine for a month and will be monitored by experts from Ocean Park and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The chief executive added that work has been carried out to help the pandas adjust to their new home.

"Early on, Ocean Park sent staff members to the Dujiangyan giant panda base to make preparations. The preparations included learning about the habits of the pandas. The staff members also assisted in the medical checks on the pandas before they come to Hong Kong," he said.

"To prepare for the bamboo leaves for the pandas, Ocean Park has already transported bamboo leaves planted in Guangdong to the Dujiangyan base.”

Lee said it's expected that the public will be able to see the pandas from the middle of December.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung went to Chengdu on Tuesday morning to join a goodbye ceremony for the pandas.

The bureau will organise various campaigns and activities to celebrate the animals' arrival in Hong Kong, including a naming contest.