Australia pavilion completes outer structure

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The foundation of the Australia Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo was completed Friday. It was the first to pass this construction milestone.

The foundation of the Australia Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo was completed Friday.

This is an Australian tradition uses a fir tree to symbolize good luck and peace for the completion of a structure.

Officials and representatives from China and Australia joined the event, re-affirming the close cooperation between the two countries.

The Australia pavilion covers an area of around 48-hundred square meters. The pavilion will address the expo's "Better City, Better Life" theme by highlighting Australia's strong and vibrant economy and its commitment to sustainable development.

Artists from across Australia will be invited to perform, and visitors will have the chance to sample the tastes and vintages from Down Under.

Australia's official mascot for the 2010 Shanghai Expo is the kookaburra. The bird is regarded clever, confident, and resourceful with a cheeky sense of humor, said to reflect the national character. The Australian side is inviting Chinese to suggest names for the bird, in the hopes of generating more interest in Australia.