Spanish King Juan Carlos inaugurated the Expo 2008 themed "Water and Sustainable Development" in the northeastern city of Zaragoza on June 13. Officials described the expo as the biggest water forum on the Earth, with 105 countries, the Spanish autonomy communities and 3 international organizations participating in the event. Zaragoza has invested 2.9 billion euros (US$4.5 billion) to build the exposition site on the banks of the Ebro River and spruce up the city of 600,000 for the three-month expo. Doors to the public open,Organizers expect 6 million visitors.

The show is the first of a new, scaled-down format of an event formerly known as a universal exposition. Zaragoza, located halfway between Madrid and Barcelona, chose the theme of water as it is an issue of growing concern to the world and one that constantly stirs debates, and sometimes disputes, in this drought-affected country. Authorities also hope the fair will help launch the city internationally.

The China Pavilion, which explores Chinese people's wisdom in searching for harmony between people and water, opened its doors at Expo Zaragoza on June 16. Themed "Humans and Water - Return to Harmony," the 1,200-square-meter pavilion explains how Chinese people make use of water for development and how water disasters were handled. A giant cone-shaped water clock showcases water from ancient times to the present at the entrance of the China Pavilion. A sector named "Water Transportation" displays rice seeds from 10,000 years ago and artificial pieces of oracle bone script recording water. Oracle bone script is the oldest known form of the Chinese written language. Operators of the pavilion try to give visitors a sense of interaction as they can learn about Dujiangyan Dam, China's oldest existing water conservation project in Sichuan Province, via a touch screen that will form the facade of the dam.

During Expo Zaragoza, an information desk of Expo Shanghai was set up in the China Pavilion to avail the opportunity to introduce and promote the immediate next event, Expo 2010 Shanghai. Being the last event in front of Expo Shanghai, Expo Zaragoza naturally becomes an important window for the overseas promotion activities of Expo Shanghai. The information desk set up by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination serves not only as a promoter of Expo Shanghai, but also a learner of operational management experience. The information desk will also keep general representatives from 105 countries and 3 international organizations in Expo Zaragoza informed of latest news from Expo Shanghai, and communicate with them regarding participation issues in Expo Shanghai. The setup of the desk was greatly supported by BIE and organizers of Expo Zaragoza.