************************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (July 1) officiated at a ceremony celebrating the 13th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) inside the Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo) Park.
The event was held outside the Hong Kong Pavilion, which sits in a prime location at the southwest forecourt of the China Pavilion, in Zone A, on the Pudong side of the Shanghai Expo site.
After delivering his speech, Mr Tang took part in a traditional eye-dotting ceremony to kick off a ceremonial lion dance.
"Since the reunification, Hong Kong has faced many challenges. With the staunch support of the central government and the Mainland, and the concerted effort of seven million Hong Kong people, we overcame each of them confidently and scaled new heights," said Mr Tang.
Mr Tang also met staff at the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong's Urban Best Practice Area Exhibition. He thanked the staff for their devotion and hospitality, which impressed visitors from all over the world.
Mr Tang later visited a new "One Country, Two Systems" thematic exhibition, which is now on display at the Hong Kong Pavilion atrium until July 15.
"The Shanghai Expo is a grand stage showcasing the achievements of the humankind. Located next to the China Pavilion, the Hong Kong Pavilion demonstrates 'One Country, Two Systems' as well as our unique advantage of leveraging integration with the Mainland while engaging the world," said Mr Tang.
The three-part exhibition showcases Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the establishment of the HKSAR, and the strengths of Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" concept and the Basic Law.
To celebrate the 13th Anniversary, lion dances will also be performed outside the Hong Kong Pavilion today and tomorrow (July 2).
Hong Kong is actively embracing its presence at Shanghai Expo, which runs until the end of October.
Apart from constructing and operating a stand-alone Hong Kong Pavilion under the theme "Hong Kong - Potential Unlimited", Hong Kong also has an Urban Best Practices Area exhibition under the theme "Smart Card ? Smart City ? Smart Life", and a virtual pavilion for Expo Shanghai Online.
The HKSAR will also stage some 55 promotion events, including over 60 arts and cultural performances and exhibitions, during the six-month period to promote the city as a multicultural, vibrant and interconnected metropolis with high quality city life built on creativity and innovation.
For more details on Hong Kong's participation in Expo, please visit www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk .
Ends/Thursday, July 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:05
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format