Singapore begins building World Expo pavilion

Singapore has kicked off construction of its World Expo Pavilion. Despite the global economic downturn, Singapore will have the largest ever exhibition area for the event. As our reporter Niu Yun finds out most of the one hundred pavilions planned for the Shanghai Expo are now under construction.

Singapore has kicked off construction of its World Expo  Pavilion.

Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong joined the ground breaking ceremony for his country's 2010 World Expo Pavilion. Called City Symphony, it's designed to be a grand pavilion to reflect Singapore's development and attract visitors.

The Prime Minister expects the Shanghai Expo to be the biggest in the history. So far, there are 239 countries and international organizations registered for the event. They are not only giving their words, but also taking actions.

Huang Jianzhi, deputy director of Shanghai Expo Bureau, says, "there will be some 100 pavilions when the expo opens. At present, more than half of the self-funded pavilions have been started. Some 30 pavilions that will lease space and 11 jointly-funded ones are now under construction. Recently, one for-rent-pavilion is ready to be furnished. Though we have time pressures, I still feel very confident."

The history of World's Fairs stretches back to 1851, and they are thought to rank only behind the Olympics and the World Cup in football in terms of public importance. In 1933, the Chicago World Expo created 20 million jobs for the US and pulled the country out of the Great Depression. Shanghai hopes to be as lucky.