China says its national pavilion for the World Expo 2017 has been completed, and is among the first ready to welcome visitors. With the theme of finding energy for the future, the expo will take place in Kazakhstan's capital Astana from June through September. A total of 115 countries and 22 international organizations will take part.
China is the world's largest energy consumer and producer, as well as top investor in clean energy. Representative for the China pavilion, Wang Jinzhen, said this year will see the largest number of major Chinese corporations taking part in an overseas World Expo.
The theme of the World Expo 2017 is "future energy". /Xinhua Photo
"All these Chinese companies have just one purpose: to show to the world what they have achieved and find mutually beneficial cooperation," Wang said.
But it's not just about making business deals. China is also trying to showcase its strategic goal of boosting energy cooperation along the Silk Road Economic Belt, an initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
"We are going to have an exhibit about high-speed trains, which are the same-size as real ones. You can experience driving this fast train. The maximum speed is 350 kilometers per hour. You can also experience a nuclear power plant, and see how it works," Wang said.
Wang Jinzhen, top representative of the China Pavilion. /CGTN Photo
"Each step the visitors take, they will be presented with a new exhibit," said Yao Rui, chief designer of the China Pavilion. "As they walk into the heart of the pavilion, they will be presented with a grand ‘dream theater’, which displays a Chinese vision of energy solutions in the future."
Kazakhstan predicts around five million visitors from around the world will attend the expo. A large number of them are expected to be Chinese, as many have a particular interest in the event after Shanghai hosted in 2010.
Aset Isekeshev, mayor of Astana, said China and Kazakhstan have signed a special visa agreement, which will simplify the procedures for Chinese groups to apply for entry. Meanwhile, the country has opened new flight routes between Astana and Chinese cities.
Kazakh officials say China is one of the most important participants in the expo, and look forward to boosting energy and infrastructure cooperation with Beijing.
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