Shanghai Daily news

Hong Kong and Macau will apply for the participation in the Urban Best Practice Area - one of the two innovations at Expo 2010 Shanghai, the officials of the two special administration regions said at an Expo negotiation meeting yesterday.

The two cities are to showcase their urbanization experiences, especially their development since their return to China.

Hong Kong will showcase the multi-functions of its smart cards and how the cards improve people's lives.

Macau will display the renovation of one of its most important culture relics, the Tak Seng On pawnshop, which was awarded an Honorable Mention among the 2004 Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Preservation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is now injected with modern elements and has become a landmark in the downtown area.

Hong Kong submitted its theme statement to the Shanghai Expo Bureau on January 2, the first Chinese province or city to do so.

The 1,000-square-meter Hong Kong Pavilion will explore the theme "Hong Kong - the Infinite City'' to display Hong Kong's achievements as well as the relationship with the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.

Macau has not submitted its theme statement, but it will showcase its transformation to a global economic and entertainment center.

The two special regions will also participate in Online Expo - the other Expo innovation.