Chinese officials and UAE diplomats launch the Chinese Cultural Palace in 2020 Expo Dubai at a news conference held in Shanghai on Jan 10. [Photo by Xing Yi/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2020 Expo Dubai, which kicked off on Oct 20 and end in April 2021, will feature a 1,500-square-meter Chinese Culture Palace, said the organizer at a news conference in Shanghai on Jan 10.

The 2020 Expo Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East.

Themed "Culture, A Bridge To Bond", the palace consists of a 350-square-meter Chinese food tasting area, a 200-square-meter display area for traditional Chinese culture, a patio restaurant and an experience center for Chinese tea ceremony and zen culture.

The palace will be located near the main ring road of the expo, 150 meters away from the China Pavilion.

Chen Gang, chief representative of the Chinese Culture Palace and vice chairman of the Chinese Culture Promotion Society, said the palace will be an ideal space for cultural activities and business meetings. Various performances will also be held during traditional Chinese holidays that take place during the expo, such as the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival in 2021.

Zong Zhiquan, curator of the Chinese Culture Palace, said the palace reflects the expo's theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" and will act as a bridge of friendship between Chinese and people from around the world.

A 42-day exhibition of Chinese cultural brands will also be held at the palace during the expo. Some 1,500 Chinese companies from the cultural industry are expected to attend the exhibition.

Faizah Al Blooshi, consul general of the United Arab Emirates in Shanghai, expressed hope that the event will promote culture exchange and deepen cooperation between China and the UAE in the fields of education, tourism and media.