Construction on the "music-box" Singapore Pavilion started on June 7. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the ground-breaking ceremony and presented an orchid - specially planted by Singapore National Parks for Expo 2010 - to Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong.

The orchid, called the "Symphony between Shanghai and Singapore," will be a highlight of the Singapore Pavilion.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Yang Xiong, Shanghai Executive Vice Mayor and executive deputy director of the Executive Committee of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, learn about the preparations for the Singapore Pavilion.

"The pavilion will be Singapore's largest undertaking at a World Expo," Lee said.

The Singapore Pavilion will attract Expo visitors with its traditional culture and showcasing of urban diversities Lee said.

Yang said that Expo Shanghai is the first Expo held in a developing country and first one with a “city” theme which will showcase development, lifestyle and culture.

Yang said that he wishes every success for the Singapore Pavilion.

The three-story "music box" pavilion will have an "Urban Symphony" theme. Its aluminum facade will portray Singapore's famous buildings.

A model of the Singapore Pavilion

Inside, Singapore will share its urban planning experiences, and the know-how that created the "garden city," said Sauhoong Lim, president of the pavilion's organizing committee.

Water and gardens will be the two main elements inside the pavilion. Fountains will be built around the pavilion and there will be a roof garden with rare tropical plants transported from Singapore.

Music will be a core element in Singapore's 3,000-square-meter pavilion. Almost all the exhibits will play music when visitors draw near, Lim said.

(Source: Official Website of World Expo Shanghai 2010)