Countries participating in the World Expo 2010 were assigned a National Day each in which officials of the organizing committee and the host country honor the country’s participation and contribution to the World Expo.
On Saturday, Palau’s National Day started at 9:00 in the morning. Dancers and performers set up the reception at the Expo Center near the Huangpu River.
Dwight Alexander, Director of the Bureau of Arts and Culture, headed the delegation of more than 20 Palau key officials and entertainers which left for Shanghai on October 20. With him are the dance team of Dil-Imeyungs of Ngaremlengui and a three-member band consisting of Paul “Malo” Paulis, Taka Emesiochel and Kelau Remeliik.
Also joining Alexander and the entertainers are Alexander’s wife, Clarinda, Celine Oiterong from Palau Visitors Authority, Simeon Adelbai of the Belau National Museum, Jesse Ngiratreged, Rhondalyn Ngirarorou, Ngedikes Becheserrak, Philip Tirso, Baulbei Isechal, Lin Zhen Qiang, Mike Rosenthal, Pacific Pavilion Director Bernadette Rounds Ganilau, SPTO Director Andrew Nihopora, Tealeai Fakasoa of the Cook Islands, SPTO Entertainment Manager Master Lai, Charmaine Scotty of Nauru.
The Chinese delegation who graced the Palau National Day celebration was led by Chen Yonglong, Vice President of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs; his wife, Liu Shuquin; Cai Fangming, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination; Zhu Yongquan, Deputy District Mayor of Shanghai Baoshan District People’s Government, and Sun Weimin, Director of the Department of Protocol and International Affairs, Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
According to Alexander, Palau performers started entertaining guests on October 20 at the Oceania section at the Oceania Stage, and the momentum kept building up until the Palau National Day on 23rd.
“The crowd in Shanghai enjoyed the performance as they were very different from the colleagues from the South Pacific whose performances were almost similar, the Polynesian dance,” Alexander told Palau Horizon in an email. “The group performed many traditional as well as contemporary dances which kept the crowd entertained. The band came in and gave a kick and inspired the people to dance along with the Palauan dancers.”
Alexander shared that on Saturday, the official flag raising ceremony was held at 10:30 in the morning while the Palau National anthem was being played by the Chinese Army band.
After the flag ceremony, the two heads of delegation – Alexander and Chen Yonglong — exchanged formalities and gifts, and Alexander signed the visitor and guest book on behalf of Palau at the VIP Room of the Expo Center. Afterwards, they were escorted to the Expo Center main hall where over 500 guests were waiting to witness their official remarks.
Yonglong welcomed the Palau delegation and expressed the Chinese government’s appreciation for Palau’s participation in the World Expo.
“China was willing to give both technical and financial support to ensure that Palau and other developing states were a part of this Expo, Alexander told Palau Horizon. He said Yonglong expressed how the Chinese government had envisioned that the rapid growth of cities, combined with urbanization would create economic as well as social issues for many countries. “This was a venue and the platform for us to learn from each other and to contribute to the prosperity of cities in our nations through adaptation of best practices that have been developed from around the world.”
In his speech, Alexander, on behalf of Palau, thanked the Chinese government for their generous support. He said he hoped that China would continue to play a key role in highlighting the plight of small island states especially in dealing with major issues that must be addressed at the global level.
“China is an emerging economic giant and has benefited from many of the islands in the Pacific and therefore should contribute to the economic base of the small island states, especially those nearest to Asia.” Alexander shared.
Alexander also thanked his team for their efforts in ensuring that the Pacific profile was raised at this World Expo. “Six months was rather long and very challenging, but all the staff and support staff not only endured but contributed greatly to the success of the Pacific Pavilion,” he said.
After the Palau entertainers regaled the crowd with traditional chants and dances for 30 minutes, the two delegations then visited the Chinese and the Pacific Pavilions and concluded the official National Day activities with a press conference at the Pacific Pavilion.
Alexander told Palau Horizon that the two main questions that were asked during the press conference with the Chinese media were “How is Palau going to deal with the exposure that it has promoted over the past six months in anticipation of increased visitor arrival?” and “Will Palau open direct flights from China, Hong Kong or Macau to increase the number of Chinese tourists to Palau?”
Alexander explained that “The government’s willingness to participate in the World Expo means that they were seeking to increase their tourism base to help its economy since tourism is the major industry.” He said he is optimistic that Palau would be willing to further expand on what the Expo has opened in terms of opportunities and would be willing to consider direct or more frequent flights from Hong Kong, Macau or the Philippines.
“That evening the Palau performers gave their full performance to the delight of the crowd inside the Pacific Pavilion. The National Day ended on a very high note and was highly praised by the SPTO team and Expo officials,” Alexander concluded.
//
