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| Background: China's bid for 2010 World Expo |
| CCTV.COM 2002-12-03 10:12:33 |
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The city of Shanghai has waged an intense campaign to host the 2010 World Expo. Let's take a look back down the long road to this day.
In 1999 at the meeting of the Bureau of International Exhibition （BIE） the Chinese delegation announced for the first time that the government would support Shanghai in its bid to host the 2010 World Expo.
This event, which takes place once every five years, has long been known as the Olympic Games of economy, culture, science and technology. But throughout its 150－year history, not one developing country has ever played host. China is now set to change all that. The aspiring candidate is China, which would put Shanghai as its Expo venue, which has spearheaded China's development since the period of reform and opening up began. Shanghai has long charmed the world with its blend of East and West, modern and traditional.
On May 2, 2001, China became the first candidate to formally apply to host the Expo in Shanghai. On January 30, 2002, a more detailed report on Shanghai's bidding reached BIE, with China once again leading the way among the six candidates. This report conveyed the Chinese government's strong backing for the event, from financial guarantees to offers of preferential policies for developing countries.
China's report designated the theme of Shanghai Expo as “Better city, Better life.” The theme reflects both an ongoing concern for human development and highlights the unique features of Shanghai, which prospered as it grew from an obscure fishing village to an internationally acclaimed metropolis within just 200 years.
The choice for the Expo venue echoes the theme. The proposed site covers 400 hectares in the old city along the Huangpu River. Its reconstruction will greatly improve the lives of nearby inhabitants as well as the environment. The project will cost over 3 billion US dollars, and give rise to some five to 10 times that amount of investment in related sectors.
After BIE's tour of China in March 2002, delegates highly commended Shanghai's Expo－planning efforts. Many wished the city would eventually turn this idea into reality.
During that tour the delegates were met by Chinese President Jiang Zemin who promised that the Chinese people are fully capable of hosting the most successful, impressive and unforgettable World Expo ever.
Apart from the unreserved endorsement of state leaders, the BIE was no less impressed by public enthusiasm for the event. Polling data shows that the public approval rating stands well above 90 percent. Meanwhile, activities in support of the event abound, taking place in universities, work places and residential communities. A host of surrounding cities has also joined the campaign.
These factors all lend strength to the bid before the bidding committee. So far, the committee's major presentations to the BIE have all been widely applauded. If China succeeds, the Expo in Shanghai is expected to attract a record high of 70 million visitors and a profit of 110 million US dollars. The final result will be decided by the 132nd meeting of BIE held in Monte Carlo on December 3. China awaits the success of bidding in the hope that together with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the two events can serve as dual engines driving China's further development and spurring international exchange.
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Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
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