Visitors to the USA Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai hit a record-breaking five million on September 6. The lucky five millionth visitor received a special gift bearing much connotation of Chinese culture from the Pavilion team.

Visitors to the USA Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai hit a record-breaking five million on September 6. The lucky five millionth visitor received a special gift bearing much connotation of Chinese culture from the Pavilion team.

Mr. Lv and Ms. Zhang from Kun Shan were welcomed by Mr. Thomas E. Cooney, the U.S. Deputy Commissioner General to Shanghai Expo, before receiving a special paper scroll with Chinese calligraphy written by an American Student Ambassador with the USA Pavilion.

"This is an exciting and humbling moment as we welcome our Five Millionth visitor to the USA Pavilion," said Ambassador José H. Villarreal, U.S. Commissioner General. "This milestone symbolizes the remarkable cultural exchange that has been taking place between the United States and the people of China since the opening of Expo. It is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, the U.S. State Department, the Shanghai Consulate, and our incredibly dedicated staff and Student Ambassadors."

The Chinese scroll was the most novel gift among the pavilion memorabilia that Mr. Lv and Ms. Zhang have received. The Chinese calligraphy on the scroll, which reads "MEI GUO GUAN YU NIN XIN LIAN XIN" meaning "the USA Pavilion stays with you heart to heart", was written by Student Ambassador Yoav Oren, who has nearly ten years' experience studying Chinese culture and martial arts. The scroll is completed by stamping a unique jade seal inscribed with ancient Chinese characters that read "To the five millionth visitor of the USA Pavilion".

"I feel overjoyed by this surprise. I really like the symbolic gift that represents the friendship between the Chinese and American people. The USA Pavilion is the number one choice on my priority list for the Expo trip and what a surprise I have received!" Mr. Zhang said with a big grin.

Being one of the most popular pavilions at Expo 2010, the USA Pavilion has kept a momentum of hosting 45,000 visitors per day, and is expected to receive more than seven million guests over the entire duration of the Expo.

At over 60,000 square feet (6,000 square meters), the USA Pavilion is one of the largest national pavilions at the Expo. With the theme of "Rising to the Challenge", the United States presence will showcase American culture, values, innovation and business in one of China's most dynamic cities, while celebrating the friendship and cooperation between the United States, China and the rest of the world.