Shanghai Expo 2010 opens today (May 1st)!

[Martian2]

BBC News - Shanghai Expo is China's new showcase to the world

"Page last updated at 23:21 GMT, Thursday, 29 April 2010 00:21 UK

Shanghai Expo is China's new showcase to the world

By Chris Hogg
BBC News, Shanghai

Millions of visitors are expected at the massive Expo site in Shanghai

The World Expo is opening in the Chinese city of Shanghai - the first time a developing country has hosted the event.

Chinese state media says the country has spent much more on the event than was spent on the Beijing Olympics.

At least 70 million visitors - almost all of them Chinese - are expected to visit pavilions and exhibitions staged by more than 240 countries and organisations from around the world."

 

[Martian2]

 

[Martian2]

Shanghai Expo a pride of all Chinese, Hu tells Taiwan dignitaries - People's Daily Online

"Shanghai Expo a pride of all Chinese, Hu tells Taiwan dignitaries
19:33, April 30, 2010

Shanghai Expo a pride of all Chinese, Hu tells Taiwan dignitaries

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Taiwan dignitaries in Shanghai Thursday, who are here to attend the World Expo opening ceremony.

Hu Jintao (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan in Shanghai, east China, April 29, 2010. Hu Jintao met with Taiwan dignitaries in Shanghai Thursday, who have been here to attend the World Expo opening ceremony. (Xinhua Photo)

Hu extended his warm welcome to the VIPs and people of various circles from Taiwan, including Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairmen Lien Chan and Wu Poh-hsiung, as well as the People First Party Chairman James Soong.

Hu Jintao (R), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung in Shanghai, east China, April 29, 2010. Hu Jintao met with Taiwan dignitaries in Shanghai Thursday, who have been here to attend the World Expo opening ceremony. (Xinhua Photo)

"Shanghai's hosting of the World Expo is a pride of all Chinese people, including those across the Taiwan Strait," Hu said. "With our joint efforts, the Shanghai World Expo will be a successful, splendid and memorable event."

He said Taiwan's participation in the World Expo is an important result of cross-Strait relationship that has witnessed constant improvement and development over recent years.

"The mainland compatriots will be delighted to see at the Expo the achievements that Taiwan compatriots have made through their hard endeavors," he said.

"I believe the Shanghai World Expo will help boost the mutual understanding of people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait while enhancing exchanges and cooperation between them," he said.

Hu, on behalf of the mainland compatriots and earthquake-stricken people in Qinghai Province in particular, also extended sincere gratitude to Taiwan compatriots for their concern and support to the disaster relief operations in the quake zone."

 

[Martian2]

Shanghai stages largest pyrotechnics show of all time to open World Expo - Telegraph

"Shanghai stages largest pyrotechnics show of all time to open World Expo

Shanghai exploded almost 60,000 fireworks in the largest pyrotechnic show of all time last night to open the World Expo, a six-month show expected to draw 70 million visitors.


By Malcolm Moore in Shanghai
Published: 6:21PM BST 30 Apr 2010

Spectacular fireworks are fired from the Oriental Pearl Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai

Almost two miles of the Huangpu river in the centre of the giant Chinese city was illuminated by a display that rivalled the launch of the Beijing Olympics.

The Expo opens to the public today, with pavilions from almost 200 countries designed to entertain the Chinese people and build business ties.

Shanghai has spent £35 billion on building the site and hugely upgrading its infrastructure."

 

[AVADI]

I seriously envy China at the pace of her development Indian leaders should learn from them.Good luck to Chinese friends.

 

[T-Faz]

I used to wonder why the world fair had died down as it used to be bigger than the olympics, today china has showed the world what it is after hosting two mega events.

Other sleeping nations like Pakistan, please take note.

Long live China.

 

[Jun]

indeed, china is cathing up really fast in recent years.

 

[grey boy 2]

Night view of World Expo Garden (8) - People's Daily Online

 

[grey boy 2]

Charming night view of Expo Park - People's Daily Online

 

[Martian2]

Superb fireworks display video link:

BBC News - Shanghai Expo is China's new showcase to the world

 

[ajpirzada]

spectacular fireworks. congrats to Chinese brothers

 

[ao333]

How is this related to defense... -_- Good job on the Expo, though.

 

[no_name]

indeed, china is cathing up really fast in recent years.

I want it to be faster still. I guess its a impatience thing with young people.

 

[chinapakistan2]

Congrates~~~, Tomorrows openning is very attractive.

 

[Martian2]

How is this related to defense... -_- Good job on the Expo, though.

Shanghai Expo 2010 and Beijing Olympics 2008 are part of China's "soft power." In modern times, powerful countries conduct diplomacy via soft power. Gunboat diplomacy and hard power belong to the 20th century.

Shanghai Expo 2010 is an important part of China's strategy for international relations and displaces the need for military means.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_power

"Soft power is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option and attraction. It is in contradistinction to 'hard power', which is the use of ..."