Elena Salgado (R), second deputy prime minister of Spain, and Hong Hao, director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, attend a donation ceremony at the Spanish Pavilion in the World Expo park in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 25, 2010. The Spanish Pavilion on Monday donated its star exhibit, animated giant baby "Miguelin," to a permanent World Expo museum to be constructed in Shanghai. [Xinhua/Pei Xin]

The Spanish Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 on Monday donated its star exhibit, animated giant baby "Miguelin," to a permanent World Expo museum to be constructed in Shanghai.

The 6.5-meter-tall Miguelin is the first exhibit donated by a participating country or organization, according to organizers.

Elena Salgado, Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, said she hoped Miguelin would help commemorate the friendship between Spanish and Chinese peoples.

"He is a child of Spain, and he will become a citizen of Shanghai," said Salgado, adding she believed "Miguelin" would live a happy life in the city.

The Spanish Pavilion has drawn more than 6.7 million visitors, who have seen Miguelin breathe, blink, giggle and turn its head gently from side to side, inviting curiosity.

Hong Hao, director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, said Miguelin would help improve friendship and communication between China and Spain as a "friendship ambassador."

A permanent museum, the Expo 2010 Musuem, is to be constructed after the event wraps up on Oct. 31. Covering more than 20,000 square meters, it is expected to be located on the Puxi side of the Expo Park. More than 200 participating countries and international organizations have expressed a willingness to donate exhibits to the museum.

It would also become the official museum and archive center for the International Exposition Bureau (BIE), Hong Hao said.