The Macao SAR Government today signs the participation contract of 2010 Shanghai World Expo with the municipality’s authorities. According to the agreement, Macao will build a pavilion in the Expo site to display Macao’s varied cultural features. It is expected that the Expo will draw more than 70 million visitors. The signing ceremony is witnessed by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and Mr Yang Xiong, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Committee and Vice Mayor of Shanghai. The contract is signed by the Director of Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in the Shanghai World Expo, Ms Ieong Pou Yee, and the Vice Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Government and the Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Mr Hong Hao. Prior to the ceremony, Mr Yang met Mr Tam and other members of the Macao delegation. He briefed Mr Tam on how Shanghai had been preparing for the event and expressed his gratitude for Macao’s participation. Mr Tam said that Macao attached much importance to its participation in the event and had formed a designated office to prepare it. The office is supported by a number of bureaus, he said. Macao would endeavor to build an impressive Macao Pavilion so as to support the Shanghai World Expo, he said. Officials from Macao that attended the ceremony included the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, Victor; the Acting President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Chang Chou Weng; Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and Member of the Administration Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr Lo Veng Tak. Representatives from the Shanghai authorities that were present at the ceremony included the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Ms Zhong Yanqun, and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr Li Mingjun. After the ceremony, Mr Yang Xiong hosted a luncheon for Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen and other members of the delegation from Macao. The Expo is to be held in Shanghai from May to October 2010. By the end of April 2008, 205 countries and international organizations had pledged their participation in the event. The Expo site will be divided into National Pavilions, Corporate Pavilions and Urban Best Practices Area. There will also be an online exposition to show the event on the internet. The Expo will also feature a wide range of activities, performances, seminars and other events. Macao is the only place in China that has two concrete constructions at the Shanghai World Expo Site. Macao Pavilion will be located southwest of China Pavilion, the main theme of which is “Macao – Spirit of Culture, Essence of Harmony”. Macao Pavilion occupies an area of 600 sq. meter, with 1,100 sq. m. construction area and 800 sq. m. exposition area. The SAR Government will also replicate Tak Seng On on a 1:1 ratio in the Expo’s Urban Best Practice Area. At that time, Tak Seng On will reveal to the international audience in Shanghai the fruit of the SAR Government’s efforts in driving the restoration and use of Macao historic buildings. Macao will also participate in the Shanghai Online Expo. Through internet, simulation and other technical means, contents of actual Expo will be transmitted over the internet, offering an internet platform for interactions between interviewers and Expo units. To promote participation of Macao populace in the construction of Macao Pavilion, the SAR Government launched the Macao Pavilion Concept Design Competition in May this year. Winning entries will be used as blueprints for the design of Macao Pavilion. The deadline for application to the competition is July 4. Winning entries will be announced in August. In addition, to strengthen the Macao populace understanding of Expo 2010, the Shanghai 2010 World Exposition National Organizing Committee will organize the “2010 Shanghai World Expo Promotion Week” in Macao coming October. Through a series of expositions, forums and promotional activities, the organizers aim to strengthen both understanding of and support to the World Expo. The SAR Government places high importance to Macao’s participation in the Shanghai Expo. Due to the wide scope of work needed, the preparation work involves joint efforts of several governmental departments. These departments include the Government Information Bureau, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Economic Services, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Cultural Affairs Bureau and Macau Government Tourist Office. The overall work is coordinated by the Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in the Shanghai World Expo.
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