Photo taken on October 12, 2023, shows Expo 2025 in Osaka under construction. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By Staff Reporters

The construction of the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan officially began on February 2. Guests from China and Japan jointly laid the foundation for the pavilion.

The China Pavilion is the first international self-built pavilion to commence construction for Expo 2025 Osaka, and it is also among the largest foreign self-built pavilions, spanning an area of approximately 3,500 square meters.

The architecture design of the pavilion, called "Inscribed Slips of China," was revealed last year. Inspired by ancient Chinese bamboo slip scrolls (ancient writing material), the pavilion has integrated the scroll's unfettered lines into the no-column exhibition hall's interior design. Similarly inspired by the gaps that exist between each bamboo slip in an ancient scroll, the architecture has installed a façade that allows natural sunlight to go through designed gaps to light up the space.

Themed "Designing Future Society of Our Lives," the Expo 2025 Osaka is scheduled to be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The Japanese government expects to see the participation of some 150 countries and regions, as well as 25 international organizations. The number of visitors to the Expo is expected to reach more than 28 million.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that China and Japan have a good foundation for cooperation in the World Expo, and he expects the Expo 2025 Osaka to become an important opportunity to promote cultural exchanges between China and Japan and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.