City's Only Miniature Hong Kong Pavilion Opens at HKIA

 (HONG KONG, 29 April 2010) – As part of its sponsorship support for Hong Kong's participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo), Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) unveiled a special miniature Hong Kong Pavilion - the city's only model - at the atrium on Level 3 of Terminal 2 (T2) today.

Opened to the public every day from 10am to 9pm between 29 April and 30 June 2010, the miniature features the sleek exterior design of the Hong Kong Pavilion in Shanghai. Visitors are introduced to the background and main theme of the Shanghai Expo, the design concept of the Hong Kong Pavilion, highlights of the three-storey structure and key programmes that will take place between now and October in Shanghai.

Visitors can also have an overview of HKIA as an international and regional aviation centre, including its extensive global connectivity, world-class facilities and services as well as commitment to building a green airport for Hong Kong. This part of the exhibition will also be held at the Hong Kong Pavilion in Shanghai from 23 May to 22 June 2010.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung said, "The miniature Hong Kong Pavilion as well as other publicity items placed in the airport will bring the message of HKSAR"s participation at the Expo and the special features of the Hong Kong Pavilion to passengers using the HKIA.  At the same time, this will showcase the strengths and unlimited potential of Hong Kong to passengers coming from abroad to every corner of the world."

Speaking at today's ceremony, Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport and Housing, said, "Airport management cooperation between Hong Kong and Shanghai at Hongqiao Airport provides high quality air services for the success of the Shanghai Expo.  On the basis of such cooperation, we will actively promote interaction on the aviation development front and the provision of the best air services for the economic and cultural exchange and cooperation between the two places."

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, "As an international and regional aviation centre where 130,000 people from all over the world converge every day, HKIA is an excellent platform to promote the Shanghai Expo and Hong Kong Pavilion. As a platinum sponsor for Hong Kong's participation in the Expo, we hope to give locals and overseas travellers a quick snapshot of the international event at HKIA's miniature Hong Kong Pavilion. We have also developed a series of other promotional activities at both the airport and Shanghai."

Apart from the miniature Hong Kong Pavilion exhibition, the two passenger terminals at HKIA have featured publicity materials to promote the Expo since February. To showcase the connectivity of Hong Kong with Shanghai, an interactive touch-screen portal will be in place at the central concourse on Level 6 of the restricted area in Terminal 1. Through this device, visitors in Hong Kong and the Shanghai Expo can communicate with each other in real time.