(Yicai Global) Jan. 19 -- A pair of giant pandas arrived in Vantaa International Airport in Helsinki, Finland, from China on Thursday. The two pandas were warmly received in Finland with a grand welcome ceremony at the airport, state Xinhua News Agency reported.

The flight landed at 10:00 a.m. Thursday local time amid heavy snow. Dozens of Chinese and Finnish officials came to greet the adult giant pandas. including Jari Leppä, Finland's agriculture minister and Chen Li, Chinese ambassador to Finland.

The male Huabao and female Jingbaobao were sent to Ahtari Zoo, about 300 kilometers north of Helsinki, after a brief meeting with the welcoming committee on arrival.

Finnish mainstream media reported the arrival of the giant pandas that day, some even broadcasting it live. The giant pandas enjoyed a "presidential reception" on arrival, major Finnish daily Helsingen Sanomat reported.

The pandas are in good condition after their arrival, said Juha Salo, giant panda expert at Ahtari Zoo. He believes that the climate in central Finland, where the zoo lies, is like that of the giant panda habitat in China, and will induce the two to mate. The couple will soon be familiar with and love their new home, as Ahtari Zoo is surrounded by forests and lakes.

China and Finland signed an agreement last April on a 15-year joint research program at Ahtari Zoo with a pair of healthy giant pandas China sent to Finland. The zoo has built a luxurious home in an area of about 10,000 square meters for the two pandas, who will receive the public in mid-February following a period of acclimation.