The 2010 World Expo, slated for May 1 to October 31 in the eastern Chinese city of Shanghai, will provide an opportunity for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China to enhance their mutual understanding, officials said Wednesday.

The UAE is the first country to complete the "base-build" of its own pavilion at the Expo, with the exception of China's national pavilion, the state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE pavilion will carry the Gulf nation's message to the people of China and many other countries, Saqr Ghobash, chairman of the National Media Council that is coordinating the project, was quoted as saying.

"We are particularly focused on the theme of Expo 2010 -- ' Better City Better Life' -- because we recognize that this resonates very deeply with the UAE's own experience," he said.

Ghobash added that the UAE government and people have made huge strides towards creating a modern society that respects its past whilst embracing the present.

"We have much to share with our friends and partners in other countries. Expo 2010 provides an opportunity to do this and we are pleased to invite companies and organizations with commercial or other interests in China to participate with us in the six month long Expo 2010 in Shanghai," he said.

Salem Al Ameri, commissioner general of the UAE pavilion, said there are still many opportunities for UAE companies to take advantage of the exposition.

"Whilst this is not a commercial exhibition in the usual sense of the word, it does offer many excellent opportunities for companies in the UAE and China to get to know each other better and to explore partnership or other opportunities. The UAE Pavilion offers a dedicated area for such exchanges and presentations," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2010)