The awarding of the 2010 World Exposition to Shanghai on Tuesday has enormous significance for the Shanghai people's pride in themselves and their city and country, but what really lies behind their excitement is the expectation that the World Expo will benefit their lives.
By anyone's measure, Tuesday night's celebration was substantial in scope and laden with meaning that went beyond the awarding of a cultural event.
Smart Shanghai people quickly translated the World Expo into huge investment, a cleaner environment, wider roads, and more modern facilities. In short, "better city, better life" - the theme of the Shanghai Expo.
The 84-year-old local Wu Lin'gen and his 5,000 neighbors currently live in a shabby neighborhood without a drainage system or gas pipelines. They could be the happiest people of all. The neighborhood is within the area designated for the expo venue. Their old and shabby houses will be torn down and they will then be able to move into modern flats.
It is estimated that about 8,500 families will be involved in the relocation project.
"I've been waiting for it for my whole life," said Wu. "I hope I can live until 2010 so that I can visit the expo and see how this place has changed."
"I can hardly wait any more to move!" he said.
Not only will Wu's life be dramatically changed but also will the whole area of 5.4 square kilometres along the Huangpu River that has been allocated for the world fair.
By 2010, the heavily polluted steelworks, chemical plant, abandoned dock warehouse, shabby huts and department buildings now occupying the site will be replaced by magnificent halls, conference buildings and gardens.
(China Daily December 5, 2002)
