The site for Hong Kong's Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) Exhibition at the World Exposition Shanghai China 2010 (Shanghai Expo) was handed over to the Government today (November 20).
The Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Alan Siu, and the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Exposition Co-ordination (SEB), Mr Zhang Yunjie, jointly signed a memorandum on the handover of the site.
Officiating guests then activated a giant smart card that represents the merging of the hardware (Shanghai Expo site) and the software (exhibition content) for Hong Kong's UBPA exhibition.
"The handover of the site is another milestone in our preparations for Shanghai Expo," Mr Siu said.
"Our preparation work is progressing well. Now the site is handed over to us, we will start construction work as soon as possible. We will then move onto the interior fitting out and installation of exhibits. All work is due to be finished by March 2010, in time for a trial run starting in April 2010," he added.
Mr Siu said Hong Kong would make use of Expo 2010 platform to promote the city as a vibrant and interconnected metropolis with high quality city life built on creativity and innovation.
The theme of Hong Kong's UBPA Exhibition is "Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life". The design of the exhibition will be innovative, highly interactive and forward-looking. Simulation devices, multi-media technology, animation and videos will be used to enhance the visitors' experience.
"The outer wall of the exhibition will comprise LED displays that will convert the number of visitors into pixels to form images displayed on the walls. This will make the exterior of the exhibition dynamic and colourful - just like Hong Kong.
"Inside the exhibition, visitors will first be immersed in a 360 degree video film showing the many different contrasts of Hong Kong. Then, virtual hosts will help visitors to experience the convenience and efficiency of Hong Kong's smart card and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology applications," Mr Siu said.
The UBPA concept is a new addition to World Expos, and will underscore the Expo 2010 theme of "Better City, Better Life". UBPA exhibits have been chosen on a competitive basis, with applications screened by a committee that included members from United Nations agencies, international organisations and Mainland authorities. Of 106 applications, 59 were approved including Hong Kong's proposal to highlight the extensive use of smart card technology in the city. The 530-square metre Hong Kong UBPA Exhibition will be located in B4 Hall at the UBPA site on the Puxi side of the Expo Park.
Shanghai Expo will be held from May 1 to October 31 on the waterfront of the Huangpu River between Nanpu Bridge and Lupu Bridge. About 242 countries and international organisations will take part in Shanghai Expo, which is expected to attract more than 70 million visitors.
Besides taking part in the UBPA Exhibition, the HKSAR Government will build a stand-alone Hong Kong Pavilion situated near the China Pavilion, and stage a range of events and cultural performances to promote Hong Kong throughout the Expo period. Hong Kong will also construct a 'virtual' pavilion, and a 'virtual' UBPA Exhibition as part of the Expo Online project.
The Government has launched an official website - www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk - which will be the main online communications platform for Hong Kong's presence at the Expo.
Ends/Friday, November 20, 2009