Vatican to attend expo in Beijing

China confirmed on Wednesday that the Vatican will attend the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition, which begins later this month, as the two countries work to improve bilateral ties.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news conference that Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, would attend the expo at the invitation of the event's organizing committee.

The Vatican will have a 200-square-meter pavilion at the expo to be held from April 29 to Oct 7, according to a news release from the Holy See Press Office.