Two experts from the Chinese mainland reached the Taipei Zoo, China's Taiwan region on Tuesday for treating a giant panda, local media reported, adding that a press conference is scheduled to be held on Wednesday to notify the public on related issues.

Eighteen-year-old male giant panda Tuan Tuan, one of the two giant pandas gifted by the mainland to the region in 2008, has been suspected of suffering from a malignant brain tumor.

Two mainland experts would be dispatched to the Taiwan region on the Taipei Zoo's request for assistance, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on October 28.

"I hope, with the common care and support from parties on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, Tuan Tuan will have better treatment and care to pull itself through this difficulty," said Ma.

He said that a team of experts, formed in late September, has been in close contact with the Taipei Zoo to provide support.

Tuan Tuan and his mate Yuan Yuan, whose names mean "reunion" when read together, have been popular among Taiwan compatriots. They have had two cubs, one in 2013 and another in 2020.