A giant panda at a breeding center in southwest China's Sichuan Province gave birth to a twin of female cubs on Sunday morning, the first twin of giant panda cubs ever born this year.

The mother, Li Li, showed signs of delivery at 8:00 AM on Sunday and gave birth to the first twin at 11:40 AM. The second was born eight minutes later, said Li Mingxi, an expert at the giant panda base in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan.

The twins -- one weighing 122 grams and the other 100 grams -- were in good health, said Li.

"This is the first time that the 17-year-old Li Li has given birth to healthy baby pandas after several cases of stillbirth and premature cubs that died soon after birth." said Li.

He added experts of the center would take good care of the twins as Li Li lacked experience.

The twins have not been named. And they were the first twin giant pandas born this year, according to Li.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2009)