It's been over one year since the Chinese mainland sent giant pandas Tuantuan and Yuanyuan as a goodwill gesture to Taipei. And now the two sides will sign a cooperation memorandum to promote research in breeding the endangered species.

Staff at the Taipei Zoo say Yuanyuan is now in heat and likes walking around.

Her partner Tuantuan, who still lives apart, has been showing interest.

On Friday, the Taipei Zoo will sign a breeding cooperation memorandum with the Mainland's Panda Conservation Research Center.

It's expected the Mainland will send experts to supervise and exchange information when the pair are ready to mate next spring.

If the breeding is successful, it will break the record for the lowest latitude and hottest subtropical region.

Taipei says the two sides will strengthen communication on raising pandas, their medical care and breeding. And Tuantuan and Yuanyuan will also be put under joint supervision.

Tuantuan and Yuanyuan will also breed with other pandas if necessary.