A countdown clock on
the Bund shows 1,263 days remain Tuesday before World Expo 2010
opens in Shanghai.
Nearly 300 representatives from more than 100
countries will meet the organizers of World Expo 2010 Shanghai in
the city Wednesday to discuss Expo plans.
The meeting will hear reports on the master plan,
construction of pavilions, tax breaks for participants and aid
funds for poorer countries wishing to take part. Delegates of 51
countries who've not yet confirmed their participation in the Expo
are also present.
The First Participants Meeting for the event will
open 18 months ahead of the normal schedule because of the high
level of world interest. In the past this meeting has been held two
years before an Expo opens.
Shanghai decided to go early because 94 countries
and international organizations have already confirmed their
participation - far exceeding the city's original goal of 50-70 by
the end of this year.
Premier Wen Jiabao sent out the invitations in
March.
"According to the convention of the Bureau of
International Exhibitions, when the number of confirmed
participants reaches a certain level, the First Participants
Meeting is due," said Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the
Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
"Now, with the support from the international
community, we've almost achieved half our target and so it is time
to host such a meeting," added Zhou.??
Among the confirmed participants 12 have appointed
a commissioner general, 24 have selected government departments and
companies to carry out Expo projects and 16 have sent delegations
to China for detailed discussions.
Since January top officials from more than 50
countries have visited the bureau including Italian Prime Minister
Romano Prodi, Gabon President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba and
Argentine Vice President Daniel Osvaldo Scioli.
Hua Junduo, commissioner general of World Expo
2010, said on Tuesday that three reasons explain the great interest
in the event.
"First, the rapid development of China and its
opening-up policy have been recognized by the world.
"Second, the theme 'Better City, Better Life'
appeals to all nations no matter whether they are developed or
developing countries.
"Third, the Chinese Communist Party and China's
Central Government have given full support to the event."
(Shanghai Daily November 15, 2006)
