Expo 2010 to promote Russo-Chinese understanding - Khristenko

The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai will promote understanding between Russia and China and unity in the building of the countries' futures, Russia's industry and trade minister said Friday.

The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai will promote understanding between Russia and China and unity in the building of the countries' futures, Russia's industry and trade minister said Friday.

"The main reason we are organizing and carrying out all this work on Expo 2010 is that it will make our nations more interesting to each other. We want the Chinese to take more interest in the Russians and the Russians to take more interest in Chinese ideas and people," said Viktor Khristenko, who also chairs Russia's Expo 2010 organizing committee.

He added that greater insight and a union of ways to achieve a better future for all were the main expected outcomes of Expo 2010.

The 2010 World Expo fair is to be held from May 1 to October 31 under the motto "Better City - Better Life." Up to $4 billion has been invested in the fair. Shanghai, the host city of the event, has provided an area of 6 sq. km (2.3 sq. miles) for the event and expects up to 70 million visitors.

Russia is constructing its own Expo pavilion for the first time in 30 years. Usually it rents a pavilion from the host country.

Khristenko, who is on a visit to Shanghai, said he hoped that visitors to the Russian pavilion "will be surprised and leave with smiles on their faces and a desire to go back in."

The 6,000-square meter sun-shaped pavilion, dominated by fairy-tale motifs, will comprise 12 white and gold towers representing each of the 12 months. It will present a comfortable city environment as seen through the eyes of children.

SHANGHAI, March 19 (RIA Novosti)