Ocean Park visitors expressed excitement as two giant pandas given to Hong Kong by the central authorities arrived on Thursday.

“An An” and “Ke Ke”, who are both five, will undergo quarantine before meeting the public.

“I love pandas. I will come back for the twin new pandas. They would attract more tourists and people will be entertained,” said 12-year-old Alice from Australia.

A couple from Israel said it was a pity they could not see the pandas during their "once in a lifetime" trip to Hong Kong.

“They are so cute and there are no pandas from where we come from, so it’s like an experience for us,” one of them said.

A local woman visiting Ocean Park for her birthday said she was disappointed the panda facilities were closed.

“[I’m] a little bit sad because pandas are the signature of Ocean Park. I can’t see them… maybe I will come next time to see the two new pandas,” she said.