Pat on the back for Shanghai
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Expo 2010 Shanghai has fulfilled all expectations as China has shown its innovative, open and prosperous side by hosting the event, the secretary-general of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) said on Sunday.
With the cultural gala having only one week to go until it draws to a close, Vicente Gonzlez Loscertales said in an exclusive interview with China Daily that the fair will leave a number of intangible legacies, including educating people about the environment, the innovative best practice areas of the exposition and the spirit of volunteerism that has accompanied it throughout its run.
"From the very beginning, we set targets for the number of countries involved and the number of visitors we would like to attract, as well as for the quality of participation in the event and its operation. As the fair has only six days to go, we can say that these targets have been met," he said.
Despite the sweltering hot summer that Shanghai endured, the event has attracted a large number of visitors, who received access to high-quality pavilions. They also benefited from smooth operations, as well as interesting dialogues in the six Expo theme forums and other cultural events, he said.
The message China delivered throughout the Expo is very clear, he said. "China is an active participant in the international community. It has a lot to contribute to the international community and wants to be friends and partners with all nations in the world."
China is working hard to show its innovative, open and prosperous side and what it can do as a reliable partner, he said.
The Expo, which opened on May 1 and runs to Oct 31, adopted the theme "Better City, Better Life", which it has showcased in pavilions from almost every country, along with international organizations, cities and large corporations.
Denmark has made a splash at the Expo by bringing its Little Mermaid statue out of Copenhagen for the first time. France has impressionist paintings and Rodin sculptures, while Italy is exhibiting works by the Renaissance master Caravaggio.
Countries and companies have vied to outdo each other in presenting the best they have to offer the world - with a particular eye on China's market of 1.3 billion people. Foreign participants invested an estimated $1.5 billion in the Shanghai fair.
"The attitude of the participating countries shows that they intend to take the best and do the best at this Expo," Loscertales said.
Nevertheless, all of the foreign pavilions have to be torn down after the 184-day fair, according to the BIE's rules.
"The plan is to dismantle the foreign pavilions," Loscertales said, adding that it will be a heavy burden on the Shanghai government if some participants fail to tear down their structures.
"Dismantling pavilions costs several million dollars. If 40-odd countries leave their pavilions, it will be a disaster," he said.
Loscertales was also impressed by the attitude of visitors who aim to learn from the Expo.
To see three generations of a family wait in long queues and look at the pavilions and exhibits with different eyes justifies the event and makes it worthwhile, he said.
The landmark event has given Shanghai an opportunity to show off its forests of modern skyscrapers and elegant shopping boulevards.
The host city overcame a number of challenges during its preparations, including the potential hazards of the H1N1 flu that broke out last year and the global economic meltdown, which made participation difficult for many countries.
However, the biggest challenge for organizers has been marshaling the crowds and maintaining order, Loscertales said.
"We always have the challenge of tackling long queues at Expos," he said. While a queuing system has been put in place, he admitted it was an imperfect solution.
In future, pavilions will be made more open so that they can be visited in a quick and efficient way, Loscertales said. "The lessons from the Shanghai Expo are precious."
Other legacies of the Expo 2010 include raising environmental awareness and learning how to become better citizens, introducing best practice areas at Expos and the generous spirit of volunteerism, he added.
At the Summit Forum, which will take place on the last day of Expo 2010, the Shanghai Declaration, a key outcome of the Expo, will be announced. It articulates and reflects the common aspirations of all participants in contributing to sustainable urban development through different initiatives at the Expo, Loscertales said.
In response to Guangdong province's bidding for the 2020 World Expo, the secretary-general said the province represents another face of China, with its own unique identity and culture.
"Guangdong would be a wonderful place to have an Expo," he said. "But it is too early. When you are finishing a banquet, you don't want to speak about the next banquet you are going to have."
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