One million Chinese to travel to Milan to visit pavilion in 2015

Milan - Above-ground work on the Chinese Expo 2015 pavilion kicked off Wednesday with a traditional lion dance to invoke an auspicious beginning to what is the first time China participates in a foreign world fair. The foundations have been laid, and now construction begins on the 4,590-square-meter pavilion, the largest after Germany's.

The national pavilion will be flanked by two corporate ones worth 60 million euros, Expo Commissioner Giuseppe Sala said.

At least one million Chinese have bought tickets to come visit the pavilion next year, according to local tour operators.

Before it reaches Milan however, the exhibit is slated to take off on a road show within China that leaves Beijing October 22 and will travel to at least eight major cities in eight provinces.