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The Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Joshua Law, led a HKSAR Government delegation to visit Shanghai between January 21 and 22 and attended the "Consultative Meeting on World Expo 2010 Shanghai China".
Also attending the meeting were Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government in charge of Shanghai Expo affairs, Mr Yang Xiong; Vice Chairman of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, Mr Wang Jinzhen; Deputy Director of the Shanghai World Expo 2010 Executive Committee, Ms Zhong Yanqun; Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Tam Pak Yuen Francis; Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Mr Hong Hao; and representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Law briefed the meeting on the latest progress regarding HKSAR's preparation for participation in the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China (the Shanghai Expo). He said that the HKSAR Government attached great importance to the project, and had set up a steering committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary for Administration to give steer to the planning and delivery of the project and coordinate cross-bureau efforts.
Mr Law said, "Since October last year, we have sent representatives to Shanghai to meet counterparts of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and discuss matters on HKSAR's participation in the Shanghai Expo.
"We have also met representatives of the relevant stakeholders, including the commerce and industry sector, creative industry, tourism and the relevant professional bodies in Hong Kong to listen to their views and expectations regarding HKSAR's participation in the Shanghai Expo."
HKSAR submitted the "Hong Kong Pavilion Theme Statement" to the organiser of the Shanghai Expo on January 2 this year, and was the first among provinces/SARs submitting the statement. The theme of "Hong Kong -- A City with Unlimited Potentials" will showcase Hong Kong's unique strength on connectivity with the Mainland and the world, quality city life, position as a global city and creative capital, as well as Hong Kong's unlimited potentials in various aspects.
Mr Law added that apart from the construction of the Hong Kong Pavilion, the HKSAR Government is also planning to enroll in the "Urban Best Practice Areas" exhibition in collaboration with Hong Kong enterprises and the creative industry. The HKSAR Government also intends to organise or participate in other related activities, such as World Expo seminars, Internet World Expo, Hong Kong Week, parades and cultural performances etc. The HKSAR Government will also encourage renowned international brand name enterprises of Hong Kong to participate in the Enterprise Pavilion exhibition.
"The Shanghai Expo provides an excellent opportunity for the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions to demonstrate to the international audiences our successful implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle since unification, as well as our achievements and strengths at various fronts", he said.
Members of the HKSAR Government delegation also include representatives from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Information Services Department, Architectural Services Department, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai. The delegation will return to Hong Kong on January 22.
Ends/Monday, January 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:45
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