Perhaps the most famous foreigner in China, Mark Rowswell, also named "Dashan", was appointed Wednesday as Canada's Commissioner General for 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon announced the decision.

He said, "As a citizen of the world and cultural ambassador, Mark Rowswell will be Canada's official representative to promote Canada in China and welcome guests to our pavilion."

Mark Rowswell expressed his gratitude and acceptance in Chinese, English and French. He said he would bring the experience of Canada's 150-year World Expo participation to China to help make the biggest World Expo ever a success.

Known as a TV comedian and anchor as well as a language educator over the past 20 years in China, Dashan, now 44, also represented Canada as the Canadian Team Attaché for the 2008 Olympic Games.

"It is the combination of cultural ambassador and government official," said Dashan when talking about his understanding about the role of Commissioner General for the Shanghai World Expo.

"We want to have real dialogue with China and boost the relation (between China and Canada)."

Mark Rowswell started his 18-month term on Wednesday morning, when he visited the construction site of Canada Pavilion.

Being built under the theme of "The Living City: inclusive, sustainable, creative", the Canada Pavilion will be completed in November. It is expected to attract approximately 5.5 million visitors, or 30,000 per day at the Shanghai World Expo.

The World Expo 2010, with the theme of "Better City, Better Life," will be held from May 1 to Oct. 31 next year and is expected to attract 70 million visitors.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2009)