An artist's rendition of the Hong Kong Pavilion. [en.expo2010.cn]

Construction began on the Hong Kong Pavilion for the 2010 Expo Shanghai. It will be a three-story 600-square-meter metallic-colored structure beside the 20,000-square-meter China Pavilion, known as the "Crown of the East."

An artist's rendition of the Hong Kong Pavilion. [en.expo2010.cn]

The second floor of the pavilion will be transparent. The pavilion will symbolize the imagination and creativity of Hong Kong people, said Ng Hon Wing, director of the pavilion.

The pavilion will feature an indoor wetland park on the third floor replicating the Hong Kong Wetland Park in downtown Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, which opened in 2006.

Famous Hong Kong pop stars will be around the pavilion during Expo and visitors will able to talk and take photos with them.

The pavilion plans to attract 2 million visitors.

He declined to give more details on the design to leave visitors in suspense.

The pavilion will be finished next March.

The special administrative region will explore the theme "Hong Kong - the Infinite City" with a focus on its urban transport network, advanced scientific facilities, financial and trade systems, multinational culture and sustainable high-quality urban life.

The special administrative government is spending US$5.16 million in its Expo participation. The Hong Kong government has promised to invest sufficient funds for Expo participation despite the current global financial climate, said Patrick Chan Chi-king, director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs in Shanghai.

The government will invite some Hong Kong businesses to invest more in the Expo, he added.

Hong Kong will make its Expo presentation with the 30 provinces and municipalities on the Chinese mainland. The exhibitions of the national participants will be in a joint pavilion around the China Pavilion, and there will be separate pavilions will be arranged for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Each of them will be 600 square meters.

Hong Kong will also showcase its multifunctional smart card as an Urban Best Practice Area for the Expo.

Its "Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life" will let visitors experience the life style that Hong Kong residents enjoy using smart cards for public transport, car parking, shopping and entertainment.

The region will also demonstrate how it promotes the smart card to residents.