Promotional week for the Joint-Africa Pavilion opened in Shanghai on Friday. Next year's Shanghai World Expo showcases a variety of themes representing 42 African countries and the African Union.

Sudan adopts the title "City and Peace," coupling traditional architecture with the golden sands of the Sahara desert. Gambia shows off its beach glamour with sea, sails and palm trees under the banner "The Beauty of a Smiling Beach." While Zimbabwe showcases stone carvings by its aboriginal population in its theme "Beautiful Life in the Stone City."

Chen Jintian is the director of the Joint Africa Pavilion Management Department of the Shanghai World Expo. He said what the African pavilion lacks in technology, it more than makes up for with its exotic flavor of African culture.

The promotions event runs throughout the Golden Week holiday until October the 7th.

Shanghai World Expo organizers have signed memos to hand over the rented pavilions with 14 countries and international organizations.

(CCTV September 27, 2009)