Ambassador Huntsman’s Remarks at the USA Pavilion

Ambassador Huntsman’s Remarks at the USA Pavilion
May 1, 2010
(As prepared)
 

What an exciting day this is!  Since our groundbreaking on this site last July, the U.S. Government and our dedicated USA Pavilion team have been working around the clock with over 60 corporate and state sponsors to prepare a Pavilion that would illustrate the best of America.   Look around – you will see that they have succeeded.  We have a world-class Pavilion with Expo-class exhibits that Chinese and international audiences alike will enjoy.  

Today, it is my great pleasure as the U.S. Ambassador to China to welcome you and to formally open our national pavilion.  

I would like to acknowledge our Commissioner General, Jose H. Villarreal, and Consul General Beatrice Camp of the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, whose great efforts have brought this day to pass.  Thank you for all the work you have done.  I would also like to welcome the group from the U.S. Conference of Mayors who are here representing cities from all over the United States.  Thank you for being with us today.  Like you, I am looking forward to learning from the experiences of other countries and to bringing those lessons back home to America. 

At the end of the month, Secretary of State Clinton – the real inspiration behind the building you see here today – will be in Shanghai for Expo-related events.  I know she will be as impressed as I am by all that you have accomplished.  And I look forward to returning here in July to participate in USA Day which should be a great celebration of the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life."

Now I am pleased to join our Commissioner General, our Consulate colleagues, our Pavilion team, and our student ambassadors in welcoming our first group of visitors to the spectacular USA Pavilion.