国内英语新闻:Iraqis take Shanghai Expo as stage for Iraq to revive after years of chaos, bloodshed

"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.