Mexico "won't withdraw" from Shanghai World Expo 2010, organizers say

SHANGHAI, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Preparations for Mexico to participate in the Shanghai World Expo 2010 were well under way, the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau told Xinhua Tuesday.

The bureau denied foreign media reports that Mexico, which had been hit with an epidemic of A/H1N1 flu, had decided to withdraw.

It said Mexico confirmed its participation on Sept. 21, 2007 and signed a participation contract with organizers this Feb. 18.

Mexico will build a 4,000-square-meter pavilion of its own design, to be revealed later, with the theme "Living Better: Heritage and Future".

The organizers are working with the contractor to prepare for construction.

According to the bureau, 237 nations and international organizations had confirmed participation. None had officially withdrawn, despite the global economic downturn and flu outbreak.

The Shanghai World Expo, the largest in world expo history, will run from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010.