Shanghai 2010 World Expo is an international event where
companies from across the globe would participate. But that doesn't
mean those from within the country are not welcome, Vice Director
of Shanghai Expo Group Zhu Yonglei said yesterday.
Denying allegations that Shanghai was monopolizing the event,
Zhu said the Expo was a national event in which the entire
country's participation was needed because it would benefit more
than just the city.
"We are going to invite bids from companies at home and abroad
for the construction of some key projects," he said.
"Many cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces have showed
interest in taking part in the expo." Since China sent out
invitations last March, 120 economies and international
organizations have signed up for participation, Zhu said.
Later this year, the city's World Expo bureau will start
enlisting participant and enterprise exhibitors from around the
country.
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
Secretary-General Wang Jinzhen said municipal, provincial and
national participants would share one or several halls. CCPIT is a
member of Shanghai 2010 World Expo Organization Committee.
Zhu said exhibitors would be able to display their products,
publicize their cities and cultures while participating in forums
and other programs, which would add up to more than 20,000 during
the 184-day expo. "As the host, we will try our best to serve every
exhibitor and visitor."
Apart from providing a display stage, the expo will build
infrastructures that will benefit nearby cities and strengthen the
cooperation between Shanghai and the participating cities.
"We are going to not only improve the infrastructure in
Shanghai, but also those connecting it to other cities," Zhu said.
"Hopefully, the construction of a high-speed railway link between
Beijing and Shanghai will begin this year, and the capacity of the
city's airports and metros will be increased.
"A high-speed train to run between Shanghai and Hangzhou,
Zhejiang Province, is being designed at the moment," he said
Preparatory works for the expo are going smoothly because of the
Shanghai government's concern and support of the central government
and the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE). Countries that
previously hosted the expo have praised the progress and quality of
work.
"Construction of exhibition facilities will start later this
year, and we'll hold more promotions in the country and abroad,"
Zhu said.
After winning the bid to host the 2010 World Expo, Shanghai has
allocated 5.28 million square meters for the event.
(China Daily March 14, 2007)