Visitors to the China exhibition hall at the Zaragoza World Expo
in Spain next year will be treated to a display of Chinese water
culture.
The winning design proposal for the China exhibition hall at the
2008 Zaragoza World Expo was unveiled yesterday morning in
Beijing.
The proposal, co-designed by the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences and Beijing Zhongjian Architect Ltd, beat out 12 other
plans from well-known architects.
"China has a long history of water control and a vivacious water
culture. Its achievements in water control and ideas about the
sustainable use of water resources have been recognized by the
international community. The 2008 Zaragoza world expo is a good
chance for China to display its water control achievements and
exchange experiences," said Hu Siyi, vice-minister of Water
Resources.
Gong Qijun, vice-director of the exhibition department of China
Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said the
exhibition in Spain would allow China to prepare to play host to
the World Expo in 2010.
"We attach great importance to the Zaragoza World Expo and
consider it a rehearsal for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Shanghai
was awarded the honor of hosting the 2010 World Expo in 2005. It's
the first time a developing country will host the event," Gong
said.
The final design proposal combines Chinese history with its
water culture. Gong said the theme would improve China's image on
the world stage.
On November 16, 2004, Zaragoza, in northeastern Spain, beat
Thessaloniki, Greece, and Trieste, Italy, to host the 2008 expo.
The expo will run for the entire 3 months allowed by the Bureau
International des Expositions (BIE), from June 14 to September 13
next year.
(China Daily May 15, 2007)