Shanghai Daily news

Australia's Expo Pavilion will showcase how it keeps a balance between urban construction and the natural environment, it revealed yesterday as it signed a participation contract with organizers.

The Australia Pavilion, a 4,800-square-meter design entitled "Better City, Better Life," will take visitors on a journey through Australia's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Australia's innovative ideas on urban planning, renewable energy development, transport and modern infrastructure will be presented under the theme "Mastering the challenges: Australia's smart solutions for our urban future."

The first part of the pavilion is called "Journey" and will give visitors a basic understanding of Australian society, its racial diversity and its cultural richness as they walk along a 160-meter-long ramp. Scenery, pictures and interactive exhibits will display Australia's landscape and tell of the country's history and people.

The ramp will lead visitors to the second part, which features a 1,000-seat theatre screening a multi-media show that explores the country's major cities and tourist destinations, its economic energy, cultural diversity, friendliness and high standard of living.

Daily performances will be staged in the last part of the pavilion. Visitors will be invited to taste authentic Australian cuisine and sip fine wines.

The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in a video clip in Chinese to mark the occasion that Australia and China enjoy a long history of friendship and exchange. Australia's objective at Shanghai Expo was not only to display the country's economy and culture, but to make a significant contribution to the Expo theme "Better City, Better Life."

He extended a warm invitation to Chinese people to visit the pavilion and experience and enjoy all aspects of Australian life.