scene of the meeting

Leo Delcroix, Belgium’s commissioner general for World Expo 2010, today told his Chinese counterpart Hua Junduo during a meeting in Shanghai that his nation hoped to present a brilliant exhibition at the Expo.

Hua welcomed Delcroix and his delegation and delivered a progress report in which he said China’s focus was not only on the success of Expo 2010 but also the after effects of the event and future trade and cultural exchanges between participating countries.

Hua said China and Belgium had a long history of economic and trade cooperation. Alcatel Lucent, Belgium’s first joint venture in China, and Xi’an-Janssen Pharmaceutica, are among the most successful companies in the country, Hua added.

Hua said he believed the Belgium Pavilion would be an Expo highlight.

Delcroix said Belgium would decide on its pavilion plan around November and begin construction before the Chinese New Year.

Delcroix said Belgium may build a small chocolate factory in its pavilion to let visitors across the world to have a taste of the Belgian chocolate.

Belgium confirmed its participation in November, 2006.