China Goes All Out for 2010 World Expo Bid

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 26, 2002

China Goes All Out for 2010 World Expo Bid

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If China's bid to hold the 2010 World Exposition is successful it will bring tremendous benefits to the world, an article published by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade said here Wednesday.

The article says the whole of China will be keeping a close watch when the International Bureau of Expositions holds its last round of ballots on Dec. 3. Chinese people expect Shanghai to stand out against the other four candidate cities, namely Moscow in Russia, Yeoso in the Republic of Korea, Wroclaw in Poland and Queretaro in Mexico.

To help win the upcoming contest, a special bidding committee with State Councilor Wu Yi as the Chairwoman and the participation of diverse government organizations and the Shanghai Municipal Government has been set up.

After President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji both signed individual letters of support, the General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Quality Supervision and Quarantine and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Public Security also promised to provide all possible support.

The Chinese government has promised to set up a fund of 100 million US dollars to help some of the participating developing nations cover the costs incurred in renting, designing and constructing exhibition halls, and shipping exhibits.

All participating countries and regions including those who have not established a diplomatic relationship with China will be granted the necessary protocols and convenience in fields like the entry of personnel and cargo.

In addition the country will provide every convenience to members of the news media wishing to cover the event. The Rules of the International Exposition Bureau will be strictly abided by.

Compared with other competitors, the article says, China enjoys unique advantages.

First, China has a rich world cultural heritage because of its history of more than 5,000 years and their legacy including the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Army in Xi'an, imperial palaces of various dynasties and the picturesque gardens in Suzhou.

If the 2010 World Expo is held in China, the world will be given a golden opportunity to better understand the country's culture.

Secondly, the desire of most Chinese, nearly one-fifth of the world's total population, to hold the event will ensure the World Expo is of superb quality.

A Gallup poll reveals that about 90 percent of Chinese are in favor of bidding for the 2010 World Expo. In Shanghai, the proportion is as high as 93 percent, and about 86 percent of citizens have volunteered to contribute to the event.

Around 10 million industrial and commercial enterprises have offered their support. Some foreign-invested companies have teamed up with domestic enterprises to provide a backup force for the bidding program.

It is estimated that a record 70 million people will visit the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Thirdly, Shanghai, the most developed and modern metropolis in China, has a unique charm.

With an increasing number of foreign companies setting up branches there, the city is a stimulating mixture of oriental and occidental cultures.

Fourthly, China's expo theme, "Better City, Better Life", covers problems faced by almost every country, as urbanization notonly brings a more civilized world but also produces challenges tothe harmony between man and the environment.

Last, but not the least, China has sufficient experience and the capability to hold a large-scale international event such as the 2010 World Expo.

Since the Chinese delegation attended the World Expo in 1982, the country's exhibition hall has been rated as the best foreign exhibition hall and the "Five Star Exhibition Hall" many times.

The Kunming International Horticulture Exposition in 1999 was hailed by the International Exposition Bureau as the best of its kind.

Given China has faithfully fulfilled its pledges to the World Trade Organization and continues to open up, the world's confidence in its economic prosperity keeps rising.

"By 2010", the article says, "many more business opportunities will be produced, from which the world will benefit."

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