Shanghai, the host city for the
World Expo
2010, Sunday set a countdown clock ticking in its city center,
showing 2,624 days left until the Expo opens.
The clock is above the front entrance of the Shanghai Urban
Planning Exhibition Center, situated in the northeast part of
Shanghai's People Square.
"Although there are nearly seven years left, it seems the World
Expo is closer because of the countdown clock, which reminds us
that we should take advantage of the time left," said Zhang Qiong,a
young guide at the exhibition center.
Visitors also can see a message on the clock written in both
English and Chinese: "Keep pace with the times, blaze new trails in
a pioneering spirit."
Inside the center are exhibitions on the history of the World Expo,
the process of China's bidding for the 2010 event, a model of the
future World Expo Village, the video of last December's voting
ceremony and so on.
People who want to be volunteers at the World Expo 2010 can
register by computer at the center.
"The World Expo is a gate opening to the outside world, which would
introduce the intensive competition of the future. The countdown
clock reminds me of the challenges ahead, so I must study hard to
meet," said Jiang Zheng, a bright 15-year-old girl student from
Pudong District's Shangnan Middle School who is living near the
future World Expo Village.
(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2003)