The Chinese government gives full support to Shanghai in its
bidding to host the World Exposition 2010, said Chinese Ambassador
to France Wu Jianmin recently.
Wu
made the remarks at the general assembly of the Bureau on
International Exposition (BIE), at which cities from six countries
presented their candidatures for the universal event.
"It's a formal engagement that my government has taken...It will
give full support to the municipality of Shanghai in its efforts in
making World Expo 2010 a full success," said the ambassador.
Moscow, the Mexico city, Buenos Aires, Wroclow (Poland), Yeoso
(South Korea) and Shanghai presented their candidacies at the
assembly of the Paris-based international organization.
Over the past 150 years since the BIE was founded, no large-scale
registered world exposition has ever been held in a developing
country, said the Chinese ambassador.
"China is the largest developing country. World Expo 2010 in
Shanghai will bring a better comprehension between China and the
rest of the world ...If Shanghai wins (the bidding), it would be a
win-win solution, for BIE, for China and for the rest of the
world," he said.
Xu
Kuangdi, Mayor of Shanghai, presented in detail the theme, sites
and pavilion that Shanghai plans for World Expo 2010, which, if won
by China, will be held from May 1 to October 30 in Pudong New Area
of Shanghai.
As
the largest city in China and one of the leading cities in Asia,
Shanghai will give World Expo 2010 a theme of "Better City, Better
Life", said Xu, adding that the Exposition will review the process
of urbanization, demonstrate and exchange new ideas and
technologies in city development.
"Shanghai is booming. But the Boom is not just new factories,
skyscrapers, bridges and subways. The city has become a better city
offering better life," said William Keller, honorary citizen of
Shanghai and General Manager of Roche (China) Pharmaceuticals Co,
Ltd.
Presenting Shanghai's bid at the assembly, Keller told the
assembly: "My experience as the head of Roche China has proven that
it is the city that best blends the east and the west, has the most
efficient government, offers talented workforce and provides
win-win cooperation."
The 88 member states of the BIE will vote in December 2002 to
decide the host city of the World Expo 2010.
( December 2, 2001)