Visitors to the China exhibition hall at the Zaragoza World Expo in Spain next year will be treated to a display of Chinese water culture.

The winning design proposal for the China exhibition hall at the 2008 Zaragoza World Expo was unveiled yesterday morning in Beijing.

The proposal, co-designed by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Beijing Zhongjian Architect Ltd, beat out 12 other plans from well-known architects.

"China has a long history of water control and a vivacious water culture. Its achievements in water control and ideas about the sustainable use of water resources have been recognized by the international community. The 2008 Zaragoza world expo is a good chance for China to display its water control achievements and exchange experiences," said Hu Siyi, vice-minister of Water Resources.

Gong Qijun, vice-director of the exhibition department of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said the exhibition in Spain would allow China to prepare to play host to the World Expo in 2010.

"We attach great importance to the Zaragoza World Expo and consider it a rehearsal for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Shanghai was awarded the honor of hosting the 2010 World Expo in 2005. It's the first time a developing country will host the event," Gong said.

The final design proposal combines Chinese history with its water culture. Gong said the theme would improve China's image on the world stage.

On November 16, 2004, Zaragoza, in northeastern Spain, beat Thessaloniki, Greece, and Trieste, Italy, to host the 2008 expo. The expo will run for the entire 3 months allowed by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), from June 14 to September 13 next year.

(China Daily 05/15/2007 page4)