The reunification ceremony at midnight on 30 June 1997.

Ten years ago, the HKCEC proudly played its part in one of the most symbolic events of the late 20th century when it hosted the reunification ceremony at midnight on 30 June 1997. That historic role was possible following the Centre's first major expansion project, which more than doubled its exhibition space as well as adding a remarkable outline to the Hong Kong harbour front.

A decade on, the HKCEC continues to attract prestigious high profile events, and demand has made further expansion essential. Consider this: in the first year after the expansion that opened in 1997, just over three million visitors passed through the Centre. In the fiscal year 2006-07, by contrast, annual attendance was near five million visitors. With Hong Kong celebrating the tenth anniversary of reunification and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, the HKCEC is undergoing a second expansion. This new project will see an extra 19,400 square metres of exhibition space become available at the HKCEC, enabling further growth of some of the Centre's largest exhibitions and opening up room for new events.

Celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and Inauguration of the Third Term Government of the HKSAR held on 1 July 2007.

The HKCEC is already a favoured venue for mega-exhibitions because of its prime location, ease of access and service excellence, and it currently hosts several of the largest exhibitions either in the world or in Asia. Once the second expansion is completed in 2009, the Centre will be able to host even more of these world-leading exhibitions and major sourcing events, further reinforcing Hong Kong's role as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia.