Chile to build its own pavilion

By Yang Jian  |   2009-5-21  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

CHILE is to build a 2,500-square-meter pavilion for World Expo 2010 rather than rent a pavilion from the organizer as previously planned, a senior official for the country's Expo participation said yesterday.

The global financial crisis has not dampened Chile's enthusiasm for the Expo. On the contrary, it is increasing its investment, because Chilean President Michelle Bachelet sees the 2010 event as a "long-term investment for its relationship with China," Hernan Somerville, Chile's commissioner general, said as he signed a contract with the Shanghai Art-Designing Corp to build the pavilion.

Somerville said preparations are "on schedule" and the pavilion would be completed by the end of the year.

President Bachelet said it is of key significance for Chile to participate in the Expo because it will be the most important event in the world in 2010, Somerville said.

He said the president was one of the main supporters of the country's Expo showcase, and she would be in Shanghai at the end of November to oversee preparations.

Somerville added: "The cultural and business exchanges between Chile and China will be the best gift to celebrate Chile's Bicentennial on September 18, 2010."

The pavilion, to be named "The seed of the new city," will be constructed of merging cylinders in silver and brown and feature a roof garden.

The main theme of the pavilion will be "exchanges among people around world."

Visitors will go through three areas, he said. In the first, there will be videos about urban life. The second will highlight solutions to urban problems and in the third Chileans will discuss their daily lives with visitors.

'Passion' Required By Australia

Australia has begun to recruit about 100 staff for its World Expo pavilion. Positions include managers, interpreters, attendants, drivers and catering staff.

Attendants must speak Chinese and English, and have a "passion for Australia."

Most positions require candidates to be based in Shanghai at their own expense.

For more details go to australianpavilion.com.