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Hong Kong attaches great importance to participating in World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo), said the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Joshua Law.
Mr Law made the remarks today (April 2) at the official Hong Kong launch of Expo 2010 ticket sales.
"The ceremony today marks a new chapter in the preparations for the Shanghai Expo. It also draws us a further step closer to the 2010 Shanghai Expo," said Mr Law.
"Our participation in the Shanghai Expo will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase our characteristics and strengths and promote our broader commercial interests to international audiences. It will also help enhance the image of the HKSAR and strengthen our economic ties with the Mainland.
"In the course of preparation for the various activities, we have maintained close contact and co-ordination with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo at different levels and have given full play to the spirit of Shanghai-Hong Kong working together as a family."
Outlining Hong Kong's plan for the Expo, Mr Law said Hong Kong would construct a standalone Hong Kong Pavilion within the China Pavilion area under the theme "Hong Kong - A City with Unlimited Potential".
The Hong Kong Pavilion will feature Hong Kong's unique characteristics and showcase the city's creativity as well as connectivity with the Mainland and the world.
Hong Kong will also participate in the Urban Best Practices Area Exhibition (UBPA) under the theme "Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life".
Hong Kong's UBPA exhibition will demonstrate how the extensive use of smart card technology has improved efficiency and the quality of city life.
An Online Hong Kong Pavilion will be constructed as part of the "Expo Shanghai Online" project. This will create a "virtual pavilion" on the Internet to provide an interactive platform for online visitors to have a virtual Expo experience.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will also build a special Expo website to promote Hong KongĄ¯s participation and provide another avenue for netizens around the world to learn more about Hong Kong.
During the six-month Expo period a range of activities promoting Hong Kong will be held, including a Hong Kong Week in October 2010.
A series of promotional activities will publicise relevant information regarding the Expo, as well as raise public awareness of and interest in Hong KongĄ¯s participation in the Shanghai Expo, Mr Law said.
Shanghai Expo will be held in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010, under the theme "Better City, Better Life".
It will provide a platform for participating countries and organisations to exchange experiences and ideas on urban development and explore new approaches to eco-friendly lifestyles, working conditions and sustainable development.
Today's ticket sales launch ceremony was jointly organised by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited (CTS).
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Deputy Director General, Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Mr Chen Xianjin, and the Director and General Manager, China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Zhou Laiwei.
Expo tickets are available for sale in Hong Kong via the CTS network from today. The first sales period from today to June 30 will offer tickets to institutions, companies and other organisations in Hong Kong.
From July 1, 2009, tickets will be available to individuals.
A Shanghai Expo Hotline 2998 7010 has also been set up for ticket sales enquiries.
Ends/Thursday, April 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:41
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