Get to work, Expo exhibitors told

Countries taking part in the Shanghai World Expo need to hurry up and start work on their pavilions or risk being forced to move into an off-the-shelf location, organizers said.

Participants have been told they must break ground on their showcase pavilions by June 30. If they miss the deadline, one-off pavilions will not be built - although exhibitors can still occupy standardized pavilions or use a shared pavilion for an entire continent.

The deadline was imposed because of the time needed to carry out the work before the expo gets underway.