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Exhibitions, performances and student exchanges helped to maintain Hong Kong's high profile at World Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo) in August.
World-renowned scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I visited the Hong Kong Pavilion at Shanghai Expo today (September 2) where an exhibition of his works has been staged since August 16.
"Passion for Hong Kong: Exhibition of Works by Professor Jao Tsung-I" runs until September 30 featuring Professor Jao's stationery accessories, outstanding publications, Chinese paintings and calligraphy about Hong Kong created for the special occasion of Shanghai Expo.
During August, the number of visitors to both the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong's exhibition at the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) passed the two million mark.
Since Shanghai Expo opened on May 1, the Hong Kong Pavilion, themed "Hong Kong - Potential Unlimited", has received an average of more than 10,000 visitors a day.
Hong Kong's UBPA Exhibition, under the theme "Smart Card · Smart City · Smart Life", is also a popular attraction welcoming an average of more than 8,000 Expo visitors a day.
Commissioner of the HKSAR Expo Affairs Office, Mr Patrick Chan, said: "We are very pleased that our two exhibitions continue to be popular attractions for Expo visitors.
"Our top priority now is to continue to maintain a high level of service for our visitors so that every one of them has a wonderful and memorable experience."
Echoing the "Cultural City" theme for August, Hong Kong organised a wide variety of events and activities for Expo.
In addition to "Passion for Hong Kong: Exhibition of Works by Professor Jao Tsung-I", a photo exhibition titled "Hong Kong · City" was held at Shanghai Times Square from August 13 to 29. Presented by the Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers, the exhibition showcased the creativity and different styles of Hong Kong photographers.
A number of performances were successfully staged in Shanghai in August to promote Hong Kong's diverse performing arts culture.
"Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Treasures" by Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong featured classic Cantonese opera on August 19 and 20.
Musica Viva and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Alumni Association presented a musical "The Legend of Zhang Baozai" on a Hong Kong pirate's history on August 20 and 21.
All four performances played to full-house audiences.
Two exchange tours to Shanghai were organised by the Commission on Youth and the Education Bureau last month to enable students to learn more about urban development in different countries under the main theme of Shanghai Expo, "Better City, Better Life".
"The public's response to Hong Kong's events and activities has been very encouraging," Mr Chan said.
"Looking ahead, next month's Hong Kong Week will be the highlight of Hong Kong's participation in Shanghai Expo.
"It gets underway at the Baosteel Stage in the Shanghai Expo Park on October 18 and will include an exciting array of performances and cultural events over five days."
For September, Hong Kong will continue to stage a number of events and activities in Shanghai under the theme "Creative City".
An exhibition demonstrating the strength of Hong Kong's animation and comics industry, "Hong Kong Ani-Com Carnival", opens today and runs until September 16 at Grand Gateway, in Shanghai's Xuhui district.
The ICT Industry Competition and Exchange Programme, "Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Showcases", takes place on September 14 and 16. The programme aims to cultivate exchanges among new and established creative talent in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
There will also be two seminars in September: "Creative Hong Kong · Brand China" on September 16 and "Expansion through Business Presence in Hong Kong - Seminar on Innovation and Technology" on September 21.
On cultural programmes, the Hong Kong Arts Festival and Fredric Mao Theatre Project will stage "The Liaisons" from September 3 to 5. "Bank of Communications brings to you: Hong Kong Phil in Beethoven 9" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will be presented on September 4. And Theatre du Pif will stage "The Will to Build (Revival Version)" on September 24 and 25.
The sponsorship drive for the HKSAR's participation in Shanghai Expo has so far raised more than $40 million from 40 sponsors.
For more details on Hong Kong's participation in Shanghai Expo, please visit www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, September 2, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:30
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