Months of speculation that the U.S. might not participate in the Shanghai World Expo 2010 came to an end on Friday, July 17 at the formal USA Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony at the Pavilion site in Pudong.  

The ceremony was attended by visiting U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Ma Xiuhong, Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong, U.S. Consul General Beatrice Camp, Deputy Chief of Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau Huang Jianzhi,  the recently appointed U.S. Commissioner General to the Shanghai World Expo 2010 Jose Villarreal, and dozens of other officials, supporters and media.  AmCham Shanghai, an early and active supporter of the USA Pavilion, was represented by Norwell Coquillard, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and AmCham Shanghai President Brenda Foster. 

"Our pavilion will be among the largest and we want it to be one of the best," said Secretary Locke, who arrived at the ceremony directly following his morning address to more than 290 AmCham Shanghai and USCBC members. "The United States and China enjoy many areas of friendship and cooperation, and we believe our pavilion will deepen that bond.”

U.S. Consul General Beatrice Camp, Commissioner General of the USA Pavilion Jose Villarreal, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, and Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong take part in the USA Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony.

Secretary Locke captured the enthusiasm of the moment when he called on more U.S. firms to help fund the USA Pavilion. "I want to assure you that your commitment to the USA Pavilion and building the friendship with China and the Chinese people will not be forgotten," he said.  Secretary Locke wrapped up his comments when he urged attendees to “get going!” and to build a pavilion that showcases the “best of America.”

Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong said in remarks to the attendees, "The groundbreaking ceremony is what we have long expected. Against the current international economic situation, a successful world expo will help restore the market confidence and help cultural, economic and technological partnership among countries.”

Jose Villarreal, U.S. Commissioner General to the 2010 World Expo, read a letter from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton written to ceremony attendees. "The United States is proud to participate in the 2010 World Expo and President Obama and I are committed to doing everything we can to support your work. The Haibao doll that sits on my office is looking forward to reports on your progress, as are the rest of us back in Washington," said Secretary Clinton in the letter.

On Thursday, Wal-Mart, NYSE Euronext and Intel Corporation become the latest partners of the USA Pavilion.  They were added to a growing list that includes Pepsico Inc., General Electric, Golden Eagle International Group, Yum! Brands Inc., Dell (China) Company Ltd., Microsoft Corp., The Boeing Company, Committee of 100, Panasonic Corp. of North America, 3M China Co. Ltd., Cargill, Corning Inc., The Executive Centre Hong Kong Ltd., and the USA-China Education Science & Culture Association.

To learn more about the USA Pavilion, please click here.