SEOUL, KOREA — Participant countries to the Yeosu Expo are commencing their preparations in earnest.
The Organizing Committee for the Yeosu Expo (Chairman: Kang Dong-suk) announced that on the 18th, a groundbreaking ceremony of the China pavilion took place attended by such dignitaries as Zao Zenge, a representative of the Chinese government, and Lee Joon-hee, the Commissioner of the Yeosu Expo.
The China pavilion is located in number 105 (1,241㎡) of the D block in the International Hall and will showcase China's sustainable maritime development agendas under the theme of "One Ocean, One Home." In particular, three issues will be at the center of its exhibition: "Ocean Development and Protection" "Maritime science and technologies," and "Maritime culture."
Starting from the groundbreaking ceremony, China will kick its construction of the pavilion up a notch. By the end of April, the interior part of its pavilion will be finalized, complete with all the exhibition items installed. After running a pilot program, the pavilion will be officially unveiled to the public on May 12.
Zao Zenge, the Chinese government representative, said, "we are focusing on displaying the deep commitment of the Chinese people devoted to achieving sustainable development," adding, "The China pavilion will no doubt be one of the most sought-after attractions of this Expo."
Lee Joon-hee, the Commissioner of the Yeosu Expo, stated, "Based on its technological excellence and technology development experiences shown throughout previous Expos, China will once again dazzle the audience at the Yeosu Expo. I am very much looking forward to the completion of the China pavilion."
The International Hall of the Yeosu Expo consists of four blocks in total, modeled after a form of the Sea of Dado. Participant countries around the world will boast their most advanced maritime technologies and cultures in the Hall. Each of the four blocks has three divisions inside: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean sections. Participants will be assigned to the exhibition sections close to their countries' geographic locations.
Dubbed as one of the "must-see" events of the year by such prominent media as CNN and Lonely Planet, the Yeosu Expo, under the theme, "The Living Ocean and Coast," takes place between May 12 and August 12 in the new port area of Yeosu. It is the second Expo hosted by Korea, following the Daejeon Expo in 1993. For the first time in the world, a floating exhibition hall called the "Theme Hall" will be presented, along with 20 other exhibition halls, including the International Hall that will host 106 countries in it. In addition, the largest aquarium in Korea and an Energy Park showcasing displays related to the theme of "ocean" will also mesmerize visitors. Staging 90 performances per day on average (approximately 8,000 events in total during the Expo), the performance schedules of the Expo are filled to the brim with much-awaited shows, such as the "Sky Tower," the loudest pipe organ in the world, and the "Expo Digital Gallery," a state-of-the-art maritime cultural center. Entrance tickets can be purchased at the Expo's official website at www.expo2012.kr and 5% discounts will be offered there till the end of April.
