SHANGHAI - China's popular World Expo pavilion will extend its exhibitions to visitors from December after the international fair ends on October 31, but its future use remains unclear, a pavilion official said Wednesday.

But the China Pavilion, one of the permanent structures to be kept after the event, would be closed in November for maintenance of facilities and roads, said Qian Zhiguang, the pavilion's vice director.

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The China Pavilion would try to maintain the original displays as shown during the Expo in the extended exhibitions.

The pavilion could also host more displays showcasing its construction and operation during the Expo, Qian said at a press conference held here Wednesday.

The period for the extended exhibitions was still undecided as this would depend on visitor numbers, he said.

When asked if the pavilion building would be converted into a national history museum as previously reported, Qian said it would remain as a cultural landmark that reflects the spirit of the Expo.

Qian said the China Pavilion would also negotiate with local museums before decisions could be made on whether to continue displaying some national treasures from some local provinces, such as a bronze four-horse chariot, which was unearthed from the Qinshihuang Mausoleum, the tomb of the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC).

China's provincial pavilions would not extend their exhibitions after the Expo ends, Qian said.

The China Pavilion had become increasingly popular. After receiving 35,000 visits when the Expo opened on May 1, it had averaged 52,000 visits a day, Qian said.

As of Tuesday, the China Pavilion has received almost 7.5 million visitors, while the provincial pavilions together saw more than 13.6 million, Qian said.