RAMALLAH - The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) finalized the preparations to join Shanghai Expo 2010 exhibition in China that begins on early may and ends on late October, a PNA official told Xinhua in a special interview.
"There will be a special wing for Palestine in the exhibition, where various details of civilization as well as the Palestinian national and cultural heritage will be presented," said Hassan Abu Lebda, PNA minister of economy.
He revealed to Xinhua that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would personally inaugurate the section of Palestine in the Shanghai Expo 2010 exhibition.
"We completed preparations and now the Palestinian pavilion at the exhibition is one of the first wings fully completed, and we will contribute to opening on time without any obstacles," said Abu Lebda.
He added that President Abbas participation "is a sign of recognition of the Chinese nation and to the strong bonds between both our people and the Chinese people." ?
"China is not a random country in addition to it being the world's largest demographic in terms of population, and we expect it will become the foundation for the entire world's economy," the PNA minister told Xinhua.
He added that "with its rich history, I think China will be able to organize such an event easily as I learned from our delegate there."
"We want to inform every Chinese individual, who would visit this exhibition, that Palestine and its land exist strongly in the international arena, said Abu Lebda.
He added that "at the same time we as Palestinians want to show our gratitude to China, for standing by the Palestinians and helping us restore our rights. We also like to present Palestine as a state able to contribute to humanity."
"We'll display the details of various aspects of the Palestinian cause and its every day life, we will use visual and written art and we'll bring out the case of our beloved occupied city of Jerusalem and highlight its bright history that all religions can relate to," said Abu Lebda.
He accused Israel, which will also join the Shanghai Expo 2010 exhibition, of practicing discrimination "against our culture and heritage and identity."
"As soon as Israel took its decision, we informed all our allies including China, which in return played a significant role in pressuring Israel not to steal Palestinian heritage and we last heard that Israel is reorganizing its pavilion in the exhibition so that it won't show Palestinian symbols," said Abu Lebda.
He expressed his best wishes for this exhibition to succeed, adding "as we wish for our friends the people of China to succeed, we hope that some day this exhibition can be held on Palestinian land."
He also expressed the Palestinians and the PNA greetings "to China, its history, its great nation and to its powerful economical growth."
"We already saluted the Chinese for this great exhibition and we hope china will prosper as it is a very essential and important ally to the Palestinian cause and Palestinian people and of course the Palestinian Liberation Organization," Abu Lebda concluded.
