Delegates attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the Taiwanese pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, Aug 17, 2009. [Xinhua]

Construction of the Taiwan Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo started in Shanghai Monday despite the losses from Typhoon Morakot.

Photo taken on Aug 17, 2009 shows the model of the Taiwanese pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, in Shanghai. [Xinhua]

The center received the invitation to build the pavilion only about three months ago. The construction started quickly thanks to the support from the expo organizers, departments in Taiwan and Taiwan-invested enterprises in the mainland, Wang said.

The pavilion is expected to cost 200 million yuan ($29 million) and to be finished in March next year.

Morakot wreaked havoc across central and southern Taiwan. At least 126 people were killed and 61 others were still missing by 8 am Monday, according to local disaster response authorities. Another 45 people were injured.