Op-Ed Contributors

Development can bring peoples closer

By Zheng Xiwen (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-14 07:52

Historically, the Expo has offered a better development opportunity to the host nation. Asian hosts, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea, accelerated their processes of economic transformation after holding World Expos.

At the Expo Axis, which is the main entrance to the Shanghai Expo site, the six cone-shaped giant "Sun Valleys" are the most striking feature.

As the name suggests, these steel structures are where sunlight is absorbed and distributed underground, thus saving energy for artificial lighting.

Other new green technologies have also sprung up, such as the ground source heat pump system and the rainwater self-cleaning system. All these environment-friendly examples have shown that China has focused on green development for further progress.

Third, development for harmony calls for an open heart and mind.

A closed heart hinders forward movement. When people see differences, it is important to open your heart. The World Expo has long served as a platform for people of different countries to exchange ideas about life and development.

All of them, no matter whether they are from the East or the West, should open their hearts and talk to each other regardless of culture, religion or race.

Over 100 years ago, Helen Keller noted that the World Expo had greatly added to her knowledge.

In this all-inclusive classroom, everyone has a chance to learn something.

While the Beijing Olympics brought China to the world, the Shanghai Expo has brought the world to China.

Closer contact with other cultures, lives and modern technologies, would enable Chinese to expand their horizons.

As an emerging economy that is rapidly industrializing and urbanizing, China needs to be more open, tolerant, and modest.

This Expo offers an invaluable occasion during which China can learn more from, and cooperate even deeper, with the outside world.

In an era of rapid globalization, countries have become more interdependent than ever before. Common challenges have bound the whole world together.

It is all the more important that people carry forward the spirit of the Expo: Understanding, communication, and cooperation.

The world is not free of problems, but as long as we are less prejudiced, show more tolerance, and recognize the fact that all countries are on the same boat, we will find the right path for development and induce a harmonious and prosperous future.

(China Daily 05/14/2010 page8)

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