The UK marked the start of construction on its highly anticipated pavilion with a tree planting ceremony on 12th March. UK government representatives, joined by the UK pavilion's founder sponsors (bp, GKN, AstraZeneca, Barclays and Diageo) and the pavilion's construction partners (Mace and Suzhong) welcomed this major step in the UK's commitment to Expo, and in realizing their shared ambition to support the strong and expanding relationship between the UK and China.

The ceremony was held on 12 March, China's national tree planting day, capturing perfectly the theme of the UK's participation at Expo and the importance of the natural environment to delivering a "Better City, Better Life".

Officials and sponsors plant two gingko trees on the ceremony: the gingko was chosen as these trees are familiar to many, and found in many park and city streets in both the UK and China. They are a powerful symbol of longevity and sustainability. The trees were planted within the UK pavilion site, and will form part of the pavilion park landscape when it opens to the public in just under a year's time.

The ceremony's host, British Consul-General Carma Elliot (who also serves as the UK's Deputy Commissioner-General to Expo) welcomed this major milestone on the way to delivering an exciting and inspirational UK presence at Shanghai Expo 2010. "We are delighted that we have started work on our pavilion, and that we were able today to mark this achievement on what has in recent years become a major date in China's calendar; and one which also embodies the UK's theme of bringing nature back into the city for Shanghai Expo 2010."

The UK was given approval for its Expo pavilion design in February; and enabling works to prepare for full construction are already underway. The unique design of the UK pavilion, a cube pierced by over 60,000 acrylic spines, embodies the UK's creative and innovative spirit, and will provide an unforgettable experience for visitors to the Expo site.

(ukinchina.fco.gov.uk March 13, 2009)