**************************************************
A "mini-Hong Kong" has been unveiled today (May 31) in Shanghai's chic shopping and entertainment hub, Xintiandi, and its surrounding areas as part of Hong Kong's participation in the World Exposition Shanghai China 2010 (Shanghai Expo).
The two-week long promotion is part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) "Festive Hong Kong Celebration" and features prominent billboards, extensive outdoor advertising, and LED displays highlighting the many glittering attractions of Hong Kong.
Officiating at the opening of the "Festive Hong Kong Celebration", the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, said: "Taking this wonderful opportunity to promote Hong Kong (during the Shanghai Expo), we not only showcase our modern life through the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong's Urban Best Practices Area Exhibition, we also introduce various characteristics of Hong Kong through different promotional themes adopted for each month.
"The theme of June is 'Connect to HK: Destination City'. We will widely promote the message of 'Now Shanghai! Next Hong Kong!', and encourage visitors to come to Hong Kong after their tour in Shanghai."
Invitation messages for people to visit Hong Kong are mounted at two high-traffic metro stations in Pudong (Lujiazui station) and Puxi(Huangpi South Road station). A metro train is even decked out as a "Hong Kong Express".
A series of entertaining performances will also be staged in Xintiandi, namely: Hong Kong Disneyland Stitch and Friends Summer Preview, performances by Hong Kong Ballet, and New Ocean Park Hong Kong Extravaganza.
"On tourism, I believe both Shanghai and Hong Kong can step up co-operation on a mutually beneficial platform and in a win-win manner to develop more tourism products and expand their varieties," Mrs Lau said.
The "mini-Hong Kong" promotion runs from June 1 to 15, allowing visitors to experience Hong Kong's unique fusion of East and West, as well as enjoy a preview of the enormous variety of fascinating celebrations and cultural activities in 'Festive Hong Kong 2010'.
Other officiating guests at today's opening ceremony included HKTB Chairman, Mr James Tien; Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Philip Yung; Commissioner, HKSAR Expo Affairs Office, Mr Patrick Chan; Chairman of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, Mr Dao Shuming; Magistrate of The Luwan District People's Government, Shanghai Municipality, Mr Weng Zuliang; Deputy Magistrate of The Luwan District People's Government, Shanghai Municipality, Mr Jiang Xiaolong; and Assistant to the Chairman, Shui On Land Ltd, Mr Zhou Yong Ping.
For more details on Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo, please visit www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, May 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:22
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format