Prior to the opening of the Shanghai Expo, Russia's Expo commission general told Xinhua that people would see a developing, open, friendly and generous Russia at the world's grand gathering.

Vladimir Strashko, also the Vice President of Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Russian pavilion, with a total area of 6,000 square meters, is one of the biggest exhibition sites at the World Expo.

For the first time in 30 years, said Strashko, Russia is spending some 1.1 billion rubles (around US$37 million) to construct its expo pavilion rather than renting one from the host country.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2010)