China and Japan, for the first time, jointly promoted in Beijing Monday the World Expo 2005 to be held in Aichi of Japan and the China Pavilion of the expo.  

The promoting activity was held by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Japan Association for the World Expo 2005 and Aichi, Japan.

Wu Jianmin, president of the International Exhibitions Bureau, and the Bureau's Secretary-General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales attended the meeting and expressed their hope that with the cooperation of China and Japan, the World Expo 2005 and the China Pavilion can be successful.

According to Taizo Watabe, representative of the Japanese government to the World Expo 2005, there will be 15 million visitors to Aichi and 10 percent of them will come from abroad.

He said China is a close neighbor of Japan and he hopes more Chinese people can come to have a look and the Japanese side will provide convenience for them.

This promoting activity is the first one and following activities will be held in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dalian cities in July and September.

The World Expo 2005 will be held from March 25 to Sept. 25, 2005, in Aichi of Japan. Its theme is "Wisdom of Nature." The theme of the China Pavilion is "Nature, City and Harmony: The Art of Life."

The China Pavilion, with an area of 1,620 square meters, is one of the largest pavilions among Asian pavilions.

The World Expo is held every five years. It is renowned as the Olympics of economy, science and technology.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2004)