Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen is confident the Hong Kong Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo will project a clear image of the territory as an international metropolis.

In an interview, Tang said Hong Kong's role as a a window to China is one of the golden keys to its success.

Without deep cultural roots or a history as long as that of the mainland, the territory has faced the hard question as to what distinguishing features it may preserve, he said.

But its advantage lies in the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures and being so cosmopolitan.

Tang said he is confident Hong Kong is continuing to do its best in terms of bringing together a wide range of cultures.

He admitted it was a challenge to showcase such an advantage at the expo.

But he gained confidence after receiving positive feedback from visitors during the trial runs that have taken place since April 20.

"They were impressed and astonished to discover Hong Kong is a metropolis which also preserves a natural wetland landscape, as they saw in the Hong Kong Pavilion."

Given the unexpected number of 12,000 visitors on the first day of the trial run - far above the estimated 7,000 - Tang said he is confident the pavilion highlights the territory's advantage, as well as its role in the mainland's development.

Tang said the pavilion shows the territory's real role as a window to the mainland.

Hong Kong should view the mainland as a huge potential market instead of just being there as backup. "Our pavilion at the expo fully projects how Hong Kong, supported by the mainland, is facing the world," Tang said.

"But given the rising standard of living and purchasing power of mainlanders, Hong Kong should view China as a potential market instead of seeing it as only a support." 

He said he is proud to see the mainland's rapid progress and Hong Kong's contribution to that impressive growth.