scene of the signing ceremony

Hong Hao (right), director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, and Mobsin Al-Balushi, Oman's commissioner general for the Expo

Oman, one of the oldest countries in the Middle East, will build a pavilion featuring both Arabian and modern architecture styles at World Expo 2010 to showcase its culture and future, an Oman official in charge of the country’s Expo preparations said today as he signed a participation contract with organizers in Shanghai.

Oman will show visitors the main characteristics of its cities, deserts, mountains, offshore areas and the capital city Muscat in its 2,000-square-meter self-built pavilion, said Mobsin Al-Balushi, Oman's commissioner general for the Expo.

Oman wanted to showcase how its people live in harmony with nature and share its experiences on sustainable development, Al-Balushi said.

The commissioner general added that Oman’s main targets during Expo 2010 also included sharing the message of peace, to showcase its unique tourism resources and to express its“ambitious plans on environmental protection.”

Al-Balushi said he believed the Expo could make people in China and around the world better understand the Arab country.

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, thanked the Oman government for its support of Expo 2010. Hong said Oman has a long and friendly relationship with China. The two countries had established trade relations in very old times.

Mobsin Al-Balushi, Oman's commissioner general for the Expo

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

Hua Junduo, commissioner general for World Expo 2010, counter-signed the contract on behalf of the central government. Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and Chinese delegate to the Bureau of International Expositions, presented the signing ceremony.

The Sultanate of Oman confirmed its participation at Expo 2010 in June 2007.