The Hall of Fame - on an elevated platform at the centre of the pavilion - represents a new initiative for showcasing Hong Kong's high-technology innovations and successful projects supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong government.

Yeung Tak-keung, Assistant Commissioner, Innovation and Technology Commission (policy and development), said: 'The exhibits in the Hall of Fame cover a wide spectrum of technologies. This amply reflects the high degree of innovativeness of Hong Kong researchers and their world-class technological achievements.'

The Mars Rock Corer, an exhibit inspired by the characteristics of chopsticks, was a space exploration tool that could be used to drill, grind, core and grip rock samples, he said.

The device, which won a gold medal in the Brussels Eureka - 50th World Exhibition of Innovation in 2001, was adopted by the European Space Agency for its Mars Express Mission.

Another exhibit, Walter, a sweating fabric manikin, is an evaluation system for testing the functionality and comfort level of clothing designs and materials.

Mr Yeung said Walter was a research and development project supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund and had won several global awards, including a gold medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products of Geneva.

The Hong Kong Pavilion design competition is jointly organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong Designers Association, the Interior Design Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Design Centre.

The pavilion takes up an area of more than 360 square metres at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Joey Ho, director of Point Architect, which is responsible for the design and setting up of the pavilion, said a prominent feature of the pavilion was the creation of a 'digital cloud' made by the numbers zero and one - the binary figures forming the basis of digital information.

'These numbers are the basic elements of digital information. In a sense, high technology is often used to tackle the most complicated issues with simple, basic approaches,' he said.

A total of 486 circular and straight fluorescent tubes representing the numbers are being used and hung from the ceiling - forming the vista for the pavilion.

Mr Ho said: 'The digital cloud creates a unique space and unites all exhibitors. It also gives a clear identity and, even from a distance, it will be easy to spot the Hong Kong Pavilion. We did not use lots of hi-tech or advanced equipment in the design for the pavilion. Technology is not necessarily going to be expensive and the most important thing is to have creativity.'

With the digital cloud concept, Point Architect won the Grand Award at a Hong Kong Pavilion Design Competition jointly organised by Innovation and Technology Commission, and the productivity council in June.