Hon. Mr. Webster Kotiwani Shamu, Minister of Media, Information and Publicity,

Senior officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Education and other organizations,

Artists from Zimbabwe Cultural Group,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to Chinese embassy! In celebrating the National Pavilion Day of Zimbabwe in Shanghai World Expo 2010, Zimbabwe Cultural Group is going to China and performing at the Expo. Today, we are very honored and delighted to enjoy your excellent performance before your departure to China. On behalf of Amb. Xin and Chinese embassy, I would like to extend warm welcome and appreciation to you and other friends present here.

As we all know, The World Expositions, since the first one held in 1851, have already become an important platform for displaying historical experiences, exchanging innovative ideas, demonstrating national image and looking to the future. The Shanghai World Expo 2010 is the first registered one in a developing country, which focuses on the theme "Better City, Better Life." During its 184 days, 70 million visitors are expected to take part in the Expo. Since its opening on May 1st, the Shanghai Expo has proved to be a major attraction for Chinese and overseas visitors, receiving 36 million visitors in total already, 380,000 per day on average. Enthusiastic visitors often have to queue for hours to get into the pavilions. The Shanghai Expo has become a grand international gathering and a happy reunion of people from all over the world.

The Shanghai Expo 2010 is also a good opportunity for the rest parts of the world to demonstrate themselves, especially for the African countries. The 26,000-square-meter Joint-Africa Pavilion is the biggest overseas pavilion, which is consisted of 43 independent exhibitions presented by 42 African countries and the African Union. From the outside, the Joint-Africa Pavilion is a perfect cube and bears the images of a silk tree, the desert, seagulls and giraffes, along with other icons of Africa. Stepping into the pavilion, visitors will feel as if they are experiencing the past, present and future of Africa all at once. Visitors to the Pavilion have surpassed 10 million since the Expo's opening, which contributes nearly one forth of the total visitors of the Expo and ranks first in all pavilions or joint pavilions by foreign countries.

Inside the Joint-Africa Pavilion, we are very glad to see that the Zimbabwe pavilion has attracted many visitors. Under the theme of "Transforming Our Communities for a Better Life", Zimbabwe pavilion showcases the countries features as Houses of Stone of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Zimbabwean Birds and Spectacular Victoria Falls. I am deeply convinced that Zimbabwe's participation in the Expo will attract more foreign investment and tourists, therefore help the country with its economic recovery.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

August 11th is the National Pavilion Day of Zimbabwe. As far as we know, H.E. President Mugabe is going to officially attend the celebrations. In order to make it more successful, Zimtrade and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe have selected the best artists from the country and organized a Zimbabwe Cultural Group to perform at the special occasion. I would like to thanks for efforts made by the respectable organizers.

As for all the artists, the envoys of friendship and outstanding representatives of Zimbabwean people, your participation in the Expo serves as a good opportunity for the people all over the world to understand more about this beautiful country and her people. On the day of Aug. 11th, all attention by exhibitors and visitors will focus on Zimbabwe, on every one of you. So I believe it will also be a hard-won opportunity for yourselves. You are currently famous in your province, country and region. But you will be well-known in the world by that time! Just give the performance as brilliant as you can!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tomorrow, the cultural group will depart for China. Please allow me, once again, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, to give our best wishes for their great success in the National Pavilion Day of Zimbabwe in Shanghai Expo 2010 !

Tatenda! Siyabonga! Thank you!