Shanghai Expo 2010 splendour:

Global exhibition of science, technology

The world Expo is held intermittently in leading cities of the world. In 2010, it will be held in Shanghai. Some say that world fairs are conversations about the achievements of human civilizations. The theme of the Shanghai Expo 2010 is 'Better City - Better Life'. This global exhibition of science, technology and industry presents not only the world's latest technologies and commodities but also blueprints for the ideal global village of the future. Expo 2010 is a place that display urban civilizations, exchange different concepts of urban development and discover future ways of living.

Exposition of this nature was first held at London in 1851 and up to now it had been held 40 times in 13 countries. Shanghai was selected as the venue for 2010 exposition in December 2002 at a meeting held in Monaco. The Chinese Government has taken the challenge of holding Expo 2010 with all the seriousness as they did a perfect job with 2008 Olympics which was acclaimed as the best Olympics ever held.

The exhibition in its entirety is being built at a picturesque site near Huangpu River in the backdrop of Pearl TV tower where some of the tallest buildings of China are found. The organisers hope that the entire region once completed will be a striking and pleasing view specially in the nights.

The exhibition site extends 4.8 kilometres along the Huangpu River. The extent of the exhibition village is 5.5 square kilometres. The exhibition site is situated between two prominent landmarks of Shanghai that is between Nanpu and Lupu bridges.

This exhibition will last 184 days from May 1, 2010. The organisers of the exhibition vouch to create a better atmosphere with all the amenities and comforts for the participants during the exhibition time. Parks, airports tube railways are under construction.

China has estimated that the entire project would cost about Yuan 400 billion (US$ 58.8 billion). This amount is expected to be collected from ticket sales and from tourists. Not only Shanghai but the adjacent provinces, such as Jiansu and Zhejing is getting geared up to meet the influx of tourists during the exhibition time. In over 500 tourist hotels and 4,000 hostels organisers expect to provide over 500,000 beds and in neighbouring Jiansu and Zhejing 150,000 more beds will be provided to meet the anticipated demand.

More than 200 countries have already confirmed their participation to this exhibition. In addition to that 36 international organisations too have confirmed their participation. Some of the participating countries have already completed erecting their pavilions. These are erected inconsistency to the culture and national identity. Countries such as China, Britain, Japan, Canada, Poland and Ireland have already completed building their pavilions.

The Chinese pavilion is wider at the top which is twice the size of a football field. It depicts the beauty and grace of Chinese architecture to the entire world. The Polish pavilion resembles a paper cutting and the pavilion of United Kingdom resembles is huge light box. Some countries do not take part due to the effect of the economic meltdown of the world. China has created a fund to help such countries whose participation is doubtful due to financial constraints.

The participating countries will stage more than 20,000 cultural pageants during the exhibition period. Each day at least 100 such cultural pageants will be staged. The two major schools of Chinese national arts Shaolin and Wudang have agreed to perform during the Shanghai Expo, offering a Kangfu gala for fans from around the world. Tickets are priced at 160 Yuan (US$ 23.5) and 70 million visitors are expected.

During the exhibition period China will introduce and display several environmental friendly vehicles, they have produced to the world market.

This project has provided many employment opportunities to the workforce of China. Vocations such as interpreters, tourist guides and other ancillary vocations connected to it such as architects, engineers, electricians are in high demand.

The mascot of World Expo 2010 is 'HAIBAO' which means treasure of world. The smiling blue character was designed in the shape of the Chinese character 'Ren' a human being. This was selected out of 20,000, sent by artists world over.

This exhibition, I am sure will give the Chinese economy a massive boost.

- R. Jinith de Silva
Former Secretary,
Sri Lanka-China Society