The island nation of the Maldives celebrates National Pavilion Day today.

An official ceremony was held in the Expo Center this morning. Maldives would showcase the country's cultural heritage and society to the world via the platform of the Expo, Mahmood Razee, Maldives' Minister of Economic Development, said at the ceremony.

Shao Qiwei, director of China's National Tourism Administration, said Chinese and Maldivian people have long-term friendly exchange and he believed visitors would learn more about the country's modern lifestyle via its exhibition.

The Maldives Pavilion is in the Asia Joint Pavilion I in Zone A.

The pavilion theme is "Maldives, Tomorrow."

In the past decade, the Maldives has grown into a model of tourism and environmental protection with tourism and fishery as the pillars of its development. It is also a leader in the fight against global warming, since rising waters encroach every year on the small island.

The pavilion showcases the country's modern life by describing efforts in cultural preservation and environmental protection while developing industries.

Displays include folk art.

Marine resources include tuna, skipjack, lobster, shark and hawksbill sea turtles.