Countries Invite Visitors to Shanghai Expo Pavilions

With less than two months to go before the 2010 World Expo, participating countries are previewing their pavilions in Shanghai and encouraging visitots to take glimpse at what is to come.

Damin has more.

So far, 192 countries and 50 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Expo. Of the 42 pavilions built by foreign countries, 80 percent have started decorating.

With a budget of more than 140 million U.S. dollars, the Japanese Pavilion is the largest and most costly the country has ever built for a World Expo.

In a video message, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama invites visitors to the pavilion, which will showcase cutting-edge technologies like smart robots and advanced vehicles.

"The centerpiece performance of the pavilion will be an opera that combines both China's Kunqu opera and Japan's Noh drama. It will tell the story of a rare bird that has avoided extinction in Japan with the help of China. We would also like to invite you to visit the zero-emission city built in the pavilion, and experience the unique Japanese culture."

Japan is not the only exhibitor that endeavors to demonstrate the harmony between human and nature.

The UK pavilion has built a stunning Seed Cathedral as its centerpiece. The structure is pierced by approximately 60,000 slim transparent rods that extend out and quiver in the breeze.

British Ambassador Sebastian Wood says the Seed Cathedral will not just amaze visitors; it also will provide a deeply meaningful experience.

"This is the creative heart of the UK Expo story. We try symbolically to demonstrate the opportunity for change and growth and ideas, which is embodied in seeds, the enormous potential for innovation and discovery which is held in biodiversity."

The ambassador says the UK will also hold daily cultural activities throughout the event.

"We'll see quite a large number of well-known faces from the world of culture, television, the arts, music, dance, sport, who will attend and be part of our pavilion experience at different times."

What's more, Wood reminds visitors that they may have a chance to meet VIPs from the UK, especially on September 8th, which is Britain's national day during the Expo.

The Expo will kick off on May 1 and run for 6 months. A total of 70 million people from home and abroad are expected to visit the Expo site.

Damin, CRI news.