MEXICO CITY -- Mexico will send giant, brightly-colored kites, called papalotes, to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo to promote investment, tourism and trade, organizers said Monday.

During the Expo, Mexico's pavilion will be a display of the past, present and future of the nation's major cities.

The "glimpse of the past" section will show Mexico's pre-Hispanic, Colonial-era and 19th century buildings on three giant screens. The "glimpse of the present" will show the present reality of the nation's major cities. The "vision of the future" will use interactive tables to show the nation's main sustainable development projects.

In the third space, the kites will play an essential role acting as a symbol of progress and a link between Mexico and China, where kites have a deep cultural significance.

Mexico will also host a restaurant serving haute cuisine versions of traditional Mexican dishes and a shop selling traditional handicrafts.