Astana Expo 2017 organizers consigned pavilions to China and other participating countries on Oct 31, marking the beginning of China’s overall exhibition work.

Akhmetzhan Yesimov, chairman of the National Company Astana EXPO 2017, said at the handover ceremony that, with an investment of $1.3 billion for the expo park construction, the Kazakhstan government attaches great importance to the expo and the preparations are making smooth progress. Kazakhstan hopes to enhance exchanges and cooperation on energy with other countries through hosting the expo, he added.

Wang Jinzhen(2nd from R), vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Akhmetzhan Yesimov, chairman of the National Company Astana EXPO 2017, sign a consignment agreement for the China Pavilion on Oct 31.

The second plenary session of the China Pavilion organizing committee finalized the exhibition plan of the pavilion on Oct 28. China is one of the first countries to attend a handing over ceremony. Other participating countries, including France, Germany, Belgium and Turkey, also received their pavilions at the ceremony.

Wang Jinzhen(L), vice-chairman of the CCPIT, introduces China's exhibition at the pavilion handover ceremony.

Rapil Zhoshybayev, government representative of Astana Expo 2017 and Kazakh first deputy foreign minister, Sun Piwen, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, and government representatives and diplomatic envoys of other participating countries were also in attendance.

Covering 1,000 square meters and themed on “Future Energy, Green Silk Road”, the China Pavilion will consist of five exhibit areas, namely the Preface Hall, China Energy Corridor, China Smart Energy Practice, Energy Dream Theater, and Global Mission and Partners. New concepts and achievements in China’s traditional energy transformation, new energy development, environmental protection and sustainable development will be shown. In addition, 24 provinces and cities, and more than 20 leading energy enterprises will also take part in the expo.

With a theme of “Future Energy”, the expo, the first to be held by a Central-Asian country, will be held in Astana from June 10 to Sept 10.

To date, 105 countries and 10 international organizations have committed, and more than 5 million people are expected. Covering a total area of 174 hectares, 90 percent of the expo park and ancillary facilities are ready.