On Shanghai's Zhoujiadu Street, residents rose Monday morning to find the number on the countdown billboard for the results of city's World Expo bid had finally reached "1".
A banner hangs near the billboard, announcing "We are looking forward to the World Expo".
"It speaks for our neighborhood, and for all the people of Shanghai," said 69-year-old Shi Yinfeng.
The host city of the 2010 World Expo will be announced Tuesday, and if Shanghai wins, Zhoujiadu Street near the Huangpu River will be the main venue for the exposition.
Despite the winter rain, enthusiasm and confidence in the city's win could be felt everywhere -- on buses, university campuses, websites and streets.
On the dock of Nanpu Port, people set up a stage in the rain.
"There will be a get-together of more than 1,000 people here Tuesday evening," said dock worker Liu Wengen. "We will watch the live TV broadcast of the announcement of the winner, whether it rains or not."
Shi Yinfeng spent the day practicing a gong and drum performance for a celebration party Tuesday evening.
"Winning the bid is the biggest wish of people here," said 51-year-old Wang Huifang, who lives a shabby bungalow on Zhoujiadu Street.
Wang commutes everyday between Zhoujiadu and Lujiazui District, now a prosperous area.
"Winning the bid would definitely bring great changes to this area," he said.
Shi Yinfeng and Wang Huifang unfurled a bright-red banner, proclaiming "We have succeeded. We thank you all!" They anxiously wait to be able to put it up Tuesday evening.
"'You' here refers to those friends that have faith in China and Shanghai, and have given their votes to China," said Shi.
Two English classes have long been running on the Zhoujiadu Street and recently a Japanese class opened.
"We will have use for these foreign languages in eight years," said one of the students.
(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2002)
