US, China swap Expo staff to build understanding

Staff members of the USA Pavilion and China's Joint Provincial Pavilion exchange gifts.[en.expo2010.cn]

The USA Pavilion and China's Joint Provincial Pavilion have agreed to swap staff members in a move to promote bilateral understanding. The USA Pavilion has sent two student ambassadors to work at the Guangdong Pavilion while the latter sent two workers to serve at the USA Pavilion.

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The initiative provides opportunities for American volunteers, mostly college students, to experience the regional culture and customs of each Chinese province and autonomous region, while the Chinese staff can explore the cultural diversities of American people at the USA Pavilion.

"The project is a groundbreaking event at the Shanghai Expo, where people with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds meet and gather together, realizing the philosophies of Shanghai Expo--understanding, communication, togetherness and cooperation," said Martin Alintuck, president and CEO of USA Pavilion.

In addition to the Guangdong Pavilion, similar exchanges will be extended to other provincial and municipal pavilions grouped in the Joint Provincial Pavilion next to the China Pavilion.

Bai Mingshao, executive director of the Guangdong Pavilion, said the exchange program offered an opportunity to strengthen communication and friendship, enabling young people to share the joy of the Expo family.