For the first time ever, the World Expo is to be held in a developing country, China. It will be very exciting as almost all African countries are expected to participate.

Never in the previous Expos have we witnessed so much participation. China is making exhibitions of developing countries one of the highlights to promote the UN Millennium Goals.

To date, 50 African countries have confirmed participation. Forty-three of them have named their Expo commissioners general.

The Expo organizers have made a large space available for the Africa Pavilion, covering 22,000 square meters in Pudong.

Forty-two counties plus the African Union will use the collective exhibition space eight countries will use independent spaces.

Practical assistance from China and the International Expo Bureau has made possible the participation of many African countries.

The Expo will be a platform for cooperation and sharing among all countries of the world.

Africa is one of the cradles of human civilization, a region that has bred primitive urban civilizations. About 30 percent of Africa's population live in cities.

Urbanization in Africa is progressing at a rate of 3.5 percent annually, the fastest in the world. Africa's urbanization experience is an invaluable input to the Expo.

Africa has a long history, vast land, rich natural resources and huge potential for development. After long years of struggle, African people freed themselves from colonial rule, wiped out apartheid, won independence and emancipation, thus contributing significantly to civilization.

Africa, the continent with the highest density of developing countries, is devoted to achieving stability, development and growth. It has made great contributions to world peace and development.

Bilateral trade between China and Africa will exceed US0 billion this year during the first half of the year, it reached US$53 million.