Africa Joint Pavilion receives 10 millionth Expo visitor

SHANGHAI - The Africa Joint Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 gave its 10 millionth visitor a royal reception on Tuesday.

Wu Jing, from central China's Henan province, received a "golden scepter" from Rose Ndayiragije, rotating director of the pavilion, and was "coronated" with a chieftain's crown and cloak.

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"I got up at 6 am to line up for entry to the Expo Park, and I feel so lucky to be the 10 millionth visitor of Africa Joint Pavilion," said Wu.

The 31-year-old college teacher also received a huge box containing gifts from all the 43 participants of the joint pavilion.

The presents included a Shanghai Expo passport with all the 43 participants' stamps on it, as well as pins and souvenirs representing all 43 participants -- including a wood carving from Guinea, a colorful bracelet from Cameroon and a candeleholder from Benin.

Ndayiragije, also director of the Burundi Pavilion, said she and her colleagues were delighted to receive so many visitors. "We hope to bring happiness to all of them."

The Africa Joint Pavilion had initially expected to get 10 million visitors during the entire duration of the six-month Expo, she said. "Now we expect the number to double."

The Shanghai World Expo opened on May 1 and lasts until October 31.

African pavilions have drawn large crowds of Expo visitors, particularly the South Africa Pavilion during the World Cup.