People have been invited to suggest new names for two giant pandas Beijing has sent Hong Kong as a gift.

The two pandas are currently called "An An" and "Ke Ke", but the government wants names that are "more suitable".

Members of the public have until October 27 to submit their ideas, along with a 100-word explanation.

"I hope everyone can think with us if there are other names that are more suitable for the two giant pandas that came from Sichuan. We hope to find a name that suits their characteristics and is distinctive," said tourism chief Kevin Yeung.

"We will also have a panel to discuss those names and select a suitable one for the two giant pandas."

The administration will also hold a drawing contest for people to portray the giant pandas.

On two drone shows being cancelled this week due to an astronomical phenomenon, Yeung said the administration will learn from the experience to make sure future displays are more successful.

He added that it is difficult to predict how long the phenomenon, ionospheric scintillation, will last, and such situations are out of people's control.

However, he stressed that the focus of the two shows was not on the drones.