Shanghai Expo is something of its own

SHANGHAI - There is no doubt to anyone who has visited the Shanghai EXPO 2010 that it is quite something of its own. To those who have been to other EXPOs this is evident. Others who have not visited any other before, it offers a unique insight of humanity in progress continuum.  But Shanghai EXPO 2010, still, is something of its own.

Size apart (millions of visitors) and theme apart (Better city, better life), towards modernity, China today qualifies without question the best candidate.

To the Chinese in their millions, another milestone has been added. The world was brought into her vicinity and realms again. And to the world, China has become within her reach again.

Not so long ago, the Beijing Olympic success reflected China and the World integration.

Long ago, I read a book called Europe learns about Africa. Today in Shanghai, I see the world is learning herself. Everyone is together coming closer and closer. To the Africans, it is an inroad into Chinese hearts and minds. It is Africa in China as much as China in Africa. The world is 'Shanghaiing'.

To me personally, there is deep satisfaction. The fact that, from the year 2,000, together with many of my colleague Ambassadors in Beijing, with the support of their Governments in Africa, we started to chart the Shanghai EXPO 2010, which has never been lost to me. As I came here this time, I spoke to several former African Ambassadors. All of those I spoke to are preparing to come, sooner or later. They all want Shanghai.

I have never seen leadership work so hard and simultaneous together. To reach the present success was a tedious ten year activity of a visit here, a discussion there, a movement here and there. Failures today being addressed and turned into new and successful options the next day. The budget cut from one item into another was the norm. Many designs thrown hither tether due to advances in technology and new ideas; an endless list on the go. What with modernity and the challenges of planning, the only way to manage was persistent determination, and the success mantra repeated again and again. I appreciate the culmination of the joint working of the Chinese leadership and the African Ambassadors and many others in the Diasporas to create this big country effect - where one event with ease has effectively had an impact on one sixth of the world population.

Beijing and Shanghai are together taking China deep into the world while bringing the world deep into China. The opening up policy is taking a dramatic turn of events. From China learning the world, now the world is learning China.

Today in China, it is the turn of Shanghai to show China. As such all roads lead to Shanghai. Fair enough my friends, let the world Shanghai.

The author Philip Idro is Uganda's former Ambassador to China.