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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, arrived in Shanghai today (April 26) and visited the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong's Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) Exhibition in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo). He also toured the China Pavilion.
Mr Tsang first visited the Hong Kong Pavilion on the Pudong side. He walked through the three levels of the Pavilion themed "Connected to the Global Village", "Connected by Ideas, Information and Diversity" and "Connected to Nature" respectively.
He was briefed on the design and content of the exhibitions by the Director of Information Services, Mr Michael Wong, and Commissioner, HKSAR Expo Affairs Office, Mr Patrick Chan, and experienced the various interactive displays and games himself.
He also toured the China Pavilion and looked at the exhibitions in China's Joint Provincial Pavilion.
He then departed for Hong Kong's UBPA Exhibition on the Puxi side. He was shown the stunning visual effects of the 360-degree circular screen and large, vertical LED screens, and how the many different applications of smart card and Radio Frequency Identification technology were introduced to visitors via interactive virtual hosts.
He learnt from the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Miss Elizabeth Tse, that many visitors were interested to know more about Hong Kong's exhibition theme of "Smart CardĦESmart CityĦESmart Life".
Mr Tsang said he was delighted that Hong Kong did well in the five-day test runs arranged by the Expo organiser, and was ready to welcome visitors from the Mainland and around the world after the Shanghai Expo grand opening on May 1.
He said: "Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo is one of the prime areas of work of the HKSAR Government this year. We will take this great chance of participation to showcase to the world Hong Kong's development potential in future, enhance our international profile and create business opportunities."
After visiting the Expo park, Mr Tsang met with Mr Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai to exchange views on a range of topics of mutual interest, including financial services, shipping and aviation.
Shanghai is the first stop of Mr Tsang's visit of the Yangtze Delta region this week. He will leave tomorrow for Jiangsu Province. Cities to be visited include Wuxi, Nanjing, Yangzhou and Suzhou. Besides meeting provincial and municipal officials, Mr Tsang will tour some major economic development areas and technology enterprises.
Mr Tsang will return to Shanghai to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Shanghai Expo on the evening of April 30, and officiate at the Opening of the Hong Kong Pavilion in the Shanghai Expo the following day.
Ends/Monday, April 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:13
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