For the first time in 30 years, Russia constructed its expo pavilion rather than renting one from the host country; the U.S. overcame its difficulties and raised enough funds, completing the construction work of its pavilion in time; the European Union's participation was its first at a World Expo outside Europe; China helped build the African Joint Pavilion for 42 African countries and the African Union to achieve a collective presence at the Expo.

Iceland managed to take part even after being shaken by the global financial crisis and the volcanic eruption that disrupted air traffic over Europe in April.

Haflidi Savvarsson, Iceland Pavilion Director, said his country's pavilion was run in cooperation with 80 Icelandic companies hoping to do business in China, a big number considering the size of the country.

"I am very confident we have managed to plant a little seed in the minds of our Chinese and overseas visitors and this little seed will eventually grow and tell them: I will go and visit Iceland," he said.

David Percival, head of Inward Investment, China, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), said during the Expo the UKTI ran the biggest program of commercial events ever in a single country with more than 150 events.

He said his team is working on 200 Chinese investment projects, most of which are in new sectors such as digital content and new energy sources.

Krestine Nielsen, Denmark Pavilion staff member, sang the Chinese folk song "What a Beautiful Jasmine" with some 150 curators and staff at the closing ceremony. She donned a red skirt dotted with Chinese characters for "Little Mermaid" for the performance. Coming to the Expo was the first time the 22-year-old had left her small town of Skanderborg.