BAGHDAD, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing Shanghai Expo is a very good platform for Iraq and China to communicate with each other, some Iraqis said on Tuesday, adding the war-torn country needs China's successful experiences for rebuilding.
The Iraqis made the remarks when the Iraq Pavilion opened Tuesday at the Shanghai World Expo, one month into the global event. The country is the last of the 246 participants to open its pavilion.
"After decades of isolation under circumstances of sanctions and wars, I believe my country is in acute need for such an event (Expo)," Adel Hameed, 35, a teacher in Baghdad western district of Mansour told Xinhua.
"As a developing nation, Iraq found Shanghai a great place to demonstrate the latest technologies that we need to rebuild our country," said Hameed, who disclosed that he sometimes follows the latest news about the Shanghai Expo from Internet at home.
Asked what makes him so interested in following the Expo news, he smiled and said "to me Baghdad is the city with glorious past and promising future. It is the gem of the east, the capital of the great al-Rasheed caliph and the city of thousand and one nights, therefore, it is qualified to look forward for better future and Shanghai is a great place to look at and learn."
He recalled the tragedy Iraq suffered in the past years, but was confident for a bright future in the city he lives in.
"Yes, I say we are far behind especially by the devastation of the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and my nation has little chance to rise nowadays, but you will see days are coming and we will rise but it needs time," Hameed said.
Some local people believed the Expo is an opportunity for Iraqis to know what is happening in China.
Maher Abbas, a 48-year old lawyer told Xinhua that Expo is a great chance for Iraqis to know the course of development in China which has made it a successful example.
"I see China as a great example, they have made spectacular successes in all areas of development. As a developing country, we need China to share us its experience," Abbas said.
"I also believe that the Shanghai World Expo is a great platform for communication among the world nations, that could open to the world perfect windows for mutual understanding," the man said, complaining that he has few media sources to know about the event as the political and security troubles of Iraq are prevailing the local media. But the concept of such exhibition excited him.
"Although my country is passing painful ordeal of chaos and bloodshed after the invasion, Iraq is still the beating heart of former cradle of civilizations, a country as historically dramatic as the Chinese unique civilization," he said with pride.
"I promise the world that we are coming back, the people of revolutionary innovations like first codified laws, writing, wheels and other things are coming back to work hand in hand with the world on the concept of the motto of Shanghai Expo (Better City, Better Life)," he added.
Ibrahim al-Ameri, a professor in politics in Baghdad University, said the Expo is a great opportunity for Iraq to enhance friendship and cooperation with China as well as the rest of the world.
"I believe it is crucial for my country to take part in such events because China as a good example for emerging nations could give hope to troubled nations like Iraq," said the professor.
"It is important to the world and to Iraq as part of this world, China's exhibition can drive us toward building peaceful and harmonious society by encouraging the Iraqi deeply-divided factions," Ameri said.
"However, Iraq has made a symbolic appearance in the current world exhibition, because I think it is too early for Iraqi leaders to take part effectively, because of the stumbled political process and the fierce struggle of Iraqi politicians over the formation of the news government," he added.
"Iraqis are looking forward to rebuilding their war-ravaged country, stalemate of the political process and divisions of Iraqi factions are hampering the efforts of construction. It needs peace and stability and these things are not available yet," Ameri said.
Amid songs and cheers of children from China and Iraq waving national flags at the opening ceremony, the Iraq Pavilion, with the theme "Next City," covers about 380 square meters in the Asia Joint Pavilion III, which also houses pavilions of Laos and Myanmar.
The pavilion exhibits cultural relics carved with cuneiform characters and a model of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.
It also displays pictures of well-known Arabic folk tales, photos of Iraqi children and replicas of an Iraqi family's furniture.
In addition, visitors can see a model of a city rebuilding program that is to be launched in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.
"Iraq has overcome many difficulties in participating in the Shanghai World Expo and opening the pavilion at last," said Rahman L. Muhsin, a diplomatic official from the Iraqi embassy to China, at the opening ceremony.
