OREANDA-NEWS. July 08, 2011. Held in Shanghai was a gala Ceremony dedicated to signing of a  Memorandum pursuant to which  the Russian Federation Pavilion together with the exhibits  demonstrated therein at the World Universal “EXPO-2010” Exposition were donated to China.

The Memorandum was signed in conformity with the Russian Federation Government Order No 1039-r of June 16, 2011. The document was signed by Mr. Vladimir Strashko, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Commissioner General of the EXPO-2010 Russian Section, and by Mr. Hong Hao,  Secretary General of Shanghai City People’s Government, respectively.

The Ceremony was also attended by: Mr. Andrei Smorodin,  the Russian Consul General to Shanghai;  Mr. Ivan Malakhov, General Director of  the “GAO VVC” OJSC;  Mr. Artyom Vdovin, the Russian Chamber’s Representative in China; and Mr. Shen Chuan, Vice President of the “EXPO Shanghai Development Group”.

While addressing the Ceremony participants, Mr. Strashko laid emphasis on the fact that the transfer of this Pavilion to the friendly China would be conducive to further intensification and development of many-faceted relations between our two countries.

This gesture was highly appreciated by China, which accepted thus donated Pavilion with gratitude. The Shanghai city authorities plan to preserve the Pavilion and use it as an integral part of a New Shanghai Business and Cultural Center. A memorial board will be attached to the pavilion’s wall.

In the course of the meeting Mr. Strashko totaled all the pluses of the long-term co-operation with the Chinese organizers, covering the periods before, during and after the EXPO-2010.

Both parties appreciated in value the exhibition governance and the interaction between the EXPO participants at all phases of the passed working period.

The World Universal “EXPO-2010” Exhibition’s theme was: “Better City, Better Life”. Over  200 countries, regions, international organizations and big corporations took part in this show.

For the first time in 20 years Russia was represented through its own separate Pavilion, which was very popular with the “EXPO” guests. During the Russian Pavilion operational period it was visited by 7.2 million people, including  Mr. Hu Jintao, President of China, and Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia. The Russian Pavilion at the World Universal “EXPO-2010” Exhibition was the Silver Medallist  in the key nomination – “For the “Better City, Better Life” Theme development.