China unveils pavilion, event program for Expo Milano 2015

The China Pavilion design and event program was unveiled on Thursday in a joint press conference held in the heart of Milan, the Italian business capital set to host the next world exposition between May 1 and Oct 31, 2015.

As the second-largest global economy and an important agricultural country, China attached great importance to Expo Milano 2015, Vice-Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Commissioner General of China Pavilion Wang Jinzhen said.

In the upcoming expo themed "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," for the first time China will present to the world "the history, present condition and especially the idea of sustainable development for the future of its agriculture," Wang highlighted.

Not only China for the first time will participate in an overseas expo with a self-built pavilion, but two Chinese enterprises will also be present with their own pavilions, making China one of the participants in the Expo Milano 2015 with most diverse forms and most abundant contents, he said.

With a surface area of 4,590 square meters second only to Germany in size, China Pavilion will be inspired by the values of harmonious coexistence, Wang explained in the presence of local authorities.

The traditional lines of Chinese architecture, he noted, will be enhanced with the use of technology also reducing energy consumption, in line with sustainability promoted by Expo Milano 2015. Five areas will guide visitors around a journey into China's traditions, spectacular landscapes and great progress, all tied together by the search for balance between man and nature, he added.

"I am certain that China will be one of the most successful participants at Expo Milano 2015," Commissioner of Italian Government for Expo Milano 2015 Giuseppe Sala said.

The world exposition, he stressed, will be a precious opportunity for people to "discover the Chinese culture and contribution of this country to the great challenge of sustainable development for the next generations."

The organizers' goal was bringing to Expo Milano 2015 around one million Chinese visitors, Sala said noting that 500,000 expo tickets have already been sold to Chinese tour operators.

A busy program of activities from cultural exchanges to meetings aimed at consolidating cooperation between Italy and China themed around food is expected to keep China Pavilion lively during the six month-event.

China's provinces and municipalities will be also involved in showing the most typical elements of their traditions.

On Thursday, a letter of intent was also signed between the company running Expo Milano 2015 and the Organizational Committee of the China Pavilion for a "roadshow" to further promote the Italian world exposition on the Chinese market.