The United Kingdom plans to invest between 10 million pounds
(US$19.55 million) and 12 million pounds in its participation in
World Expo 2010 Shanghai, visiting British officials said on
Saturday.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown formally handed over the
UK's Shanghai Expo 2010 participation document to Shanghai Mayor
Han Zheng that day - marking Britain's official acceptance of the
invitation to take part in the Expo.
He said visitors to the 2010 World Expo might be amazed by the
innovative and attractive design of the British Pavilion.
"The grand event provides a unique opportunity for us to share
aspiration, knowledge and experience," said John Dennis, project
director for the British participation in the World Expo. "We will
present an iconic UK Pavilion."
The design of the UK Pavilion, unveiled last November, was among
the four most-anticipated attractions of the event, according to an
online survey at the time.
British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown (center) shares a light moment against the design of
the UK Pavilion for World Expo 2010 on Saturday.
Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the pavilion is in the shape of
a big cube with thousands of spines that hover in the air. The
spines swing in the breeze and are tipped with tiny, colored lights
that display various images.
"It is utterly original and shows our boldness to offer a
Britain with creativity, diversity and innovation," said
Dennis.
The pavilion will become a symbol of the UK's commitment to
sustainable urban development as it will be built from materials
that are recyclable and carbon-neutral.
GKN, BP and AstraZeneca announced they will be corporate
sponsors of the UK Pavilion.
With a sponsorship of 500,000 pounds, pharmaceutical company
AstraZeneca will directly support the design, development and
staging.
"The theme of the World Expo 'Better City, Better Life' seems
very relevant to us as a health-care company," said David Brennan,
CEO of AstraZeneca. "The sponsorship demonstrates our commitment in
raising public awareness to develop science and innovation to
improve public health."
Brennan was among the business delegation with visiting British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Delegation members attended a forum in Shanghai on Saturday.
(Shanghai Daily January 21, 2008)
