Nation puts on show of sustainability at Milan Expo 2015

The Milan Expo 2015, which began on May 1 in Italy, is attracting global attention. It is another event with special meaning for China, after the Shanghai Expo held in 2010. The Milan Expo is focused on modern agriculture and its themes are "Feeding the Planet" and "Energy for Life".

A total of 148 countries, regions and international organizations are participating, and 55 of them have built pavilions. The Expo is expected to attract more than 20 million visitors by the time it closes at the end of October.

After 160 years, the World Expo has become a symbol of development and progress. It has changed from showing the newest technology from developed nations to a comprehensive platform to showcase innovation, advocate peace and support greener ideas by all nations.

As an important platform for mankind's future, its core values are progress, innovation and communication.

Since the start of the 21st century, the theme of the event has reflected the core concept of "sustainable development". This indicates that people from all countries are keen to explore the common dream of mankind, which is a greener and more modern development model.

President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that the Chinese dream to achieve national prosperity and revival, public happiness, peace, development, cooperation and win-win results is also the common dream of all world citizens.

We believe that the Expo can be a great venue that includes economic, scientific, technical and cultural factors to demonstrate human achievements. It can be an opportunity for China to share its dream with the world and provide an important platform for further international cooperation.

China will tell a good story at the Milan Expo, with a comprehensive interpretation of the Chinese dream, as well as creating a favorable external environment for the development of the nation.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and Italy. The Expo can offer an opportunity to expand communication and strengthen understanding between the two nations.

China was the starting point and Italy was the final stop on the ancient Silk Road. Given current world economic conditions, China is willing to further develop business ties with Italy through the "One Belt, One Road" initiative to expand its market presence in Italy.

That nation has cutting-edge technology in the fields of agriculture, machinery, innovation and advanced manufacturing. They are useful keys to help China carry out its ongoing industrial structural adjustment and green economy.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road are initiatives put forward by Xi in 2013, with the purpose of rejuvenating the two ancient trading routes and further opening up the markets in a mutually beneficial manner. These modern trading routes can create a favorable business environment and political conditions for the two nations to expand exchanges and cooperation through the Expo platform, and to promote a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

China is the largest country in terms of general exhibition space at the Milan Expo. The China pavilion covers 4,590 square meters and its main theme is "Land of Hope, Food for Life".

The pavilion offers a unique experience for visitors, increasing their awareness of and seeking their participation in the drive for the right to food that is healthy, safe and sufficient, the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the food chain, as well as the preservation of taste and of food culture.

This is also the first time that China has two associated business pavilions: the China Corporate United Pavilion and the Vanke Pavilion. The total area of Chinese pavilions reaches 6,700 sq m this year.

There are five main exhibition zones, which are the introduction, the sky, the Earth, humanity and harmony. These show China's concepts of agriculture and food.

The design of the China pavilion this year is fully integrated with traditional Chinese architecture structures and forms, as well as modern design ideas to create the main pavilion building.

Because China has a time-honored food history, with a cuisine that is one of the few reference food cultures at the global level, it is a key country for the Milan Expo and a crucial contributor to the development of the theme of agriculture in Italy.

We believe that the World Expo is an opportunity to consolidate commercial relations between Italy and China. It will also give China a strategic opportunity to share its culture, traditions and achievements.

The author is chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.