Expo chief hails Shanghai's plans

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-02-16 18:42

A leader of the Paris-based organization that oversees World Expos has put his stamp of approval on Shanghai's preparations for the 2010 event.

Vicent Gonzalez Loscertales, secretary-general of the Bureau International des Exposition (BIE), praised the ongoing preparations during a three-day visit to the city.

Loscertales voiced support for Expo organizers' plan to appropriate US$100 million to help developing countries participate, since half of the BIE state members are developing nations. The Shanghai government has made plans to recruit a large number of volunteers in the city and train them for jobs related to the Expo.

During his visit, Loscertales helped Expo organizers compose the "Participation Guideline," an official document that outlines principles and details concerning participation for the exhibitors. According to Zhou Hanmin, deputy director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Co-ordination, the document will take shape before the first conference with participants towards the end of this year and will be regularly renewed.

In his comments, Loscartales emphasized the importance of incorporating traditional cultures into Expo exhibits. "Traditions are always a deep root of the World Expo," he said

Loscartales suggested, based on the design of the Chinese pavilion at last year's Aichi Expo, that the Chinese pavilion be improved to better present traditional Chinese culture in the 2010 Expo.

With the first phase of construction for the Expo set to begin this year, Shanghai faces the massive job of transferring its plan to reality, said Loscertales.

This year, Shanghai will invite bids for the design of six venues in the 5.28-square-kilometre Expo site, which will be the national pavilion, theme pavilion, conference centre and performance centre, World Expo Museum and World Expo village. Construction is expected to begin before the end of the year. Work on additional infrastructure, such as subways and roads, is also included in this year's plans.