The 2010 Shanghai World Expo, China's next global party after
the Olympics, will be going live online. "The event will never
close," the city's vice-mayor said.
The virtual Expo will hit cyberspace on May 1, 2010, the same
day as the actual Expo kicks off. It will be the first online World
Expo, Yang Xiong, Shanghai's vice-mayor and executive deputy
director of the Expo executive committee, said at a press briefing
in Beijing.
Yang said that because of the size and complexity of the
five-month event, the online version will play a major part in
helping those attending the Expo get the most out of it as well as
provide access for those unable to be there.
He noted that the Shanghai Expo seeks to encourage the
participation of developing countries with US$100 million in
assistance funds available to the 114 nations listed by the United
Nations as less developed and underdeveloped nations.
The funds for Expo participation will be distributed not in cash
but through the signing of contracts.
China became the first developing country to host the World Expo
when Shanghai won the bid in December 2002 with a "better city,
better life" theme.
Yang said transportation "is the greatest challenge since the
Expo will be held in the center of Shanghai".
Measures to improve transportation include the construction of
the city's third railway station, renovation of airports and
development of cross-river transportation. Within the inner city,
Yang said the improved metro lines will be vital, with a system of
400 km in place by 2010. Only public transport will be allowed in
and around the Expo.
Another innovative feature of the Expo is the Urban Best
Practice Area, which will display outstanding approaches of 30
cities worldwide. According to Yang, this will be the first time
cities have been invited to participate in the World Expo
independently.
The Expo will include the World Expo Museum, a public events
center, a performing arts center, the China pavilion, and
international and corporate pavilions.
China's provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities will
share pavilions, while Hong Kong and Macao are authorized to build
larger independent pavilions, according to Wang Jinzhen, China's
chief delegate to the Bureau of International Exhibitions and the
standing deputy-director of the Expo organizing committee's liaison
office.
A participation plan for Taiwan is being drafted, he said,
without further elaboration.
(China Daily August 1, 2007)