LISBON -- Portugal has signed a participation contract for the Shanghai Expo?2020, local media reported on Monday.

The contract was signed by Rolando Borge Martins, president of the Expo Lisbon Park Group, and concurrently general commissioner for Portugal's participation in the expo.

The Portuguese pavilion will be located at the privileged zone in Europe Square with a floor space of 6,000 square meters and a capacity for an audience of 1,200.

The expo, scheduled for May 1, 2010 to October 3, 2010, is one of the biggest international events in China after the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

About 200 countries and organizations have signed contracts to participate in the expo, which is expected to attract some 70 million visitors.