Mainland pandas due to fly to Taiwan by Christmas

The two pandas donated by the Mainland to Taiwan will fly to the island before Christmas. Mainland-based Air China and Taiwan-based EVA Air are in the running to take them.

Many carriers are competing for the honor of transporting Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan.

And the Mainland will send experts to escort the pair to Taipei.

Taiwan airline experts say only Air China and EVA Air have the right planes to accommodate the pandas, the veterinary surgeon and the keepers during the three-hour flight

An authorized television station will record the transfer procedure as a documentary.

Taiwan is getting everything ready for the pandas' arrival. Their new home, the Taipei City Zoo, has set up a blog.

It offers videos recording the growth of the pair. There are also tips, such as how to distinguish the two and some basic facts about giant pandas.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are currently in Sichuan province, as the formalities for their trip are being finalized.