Senior legislator inspects Expo site

Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, learns about the Expo's master plan.

Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, is given a progress report on the Expo's preparation.

Hua Jianmin takes a bird's eye view of the Expo site.

The organizers of the 2010 World Expo yesterday delivered a progress report to Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

The senior Chinese legislator also inspected the Expo site and was told that the interior decoration and display preparations of the China Pavilion will start at the end of this month, which is ahead of schedule.

The Expo has attracted 192 countries and 48 international organizations thus far. Meanwhile, it has also confirmed more than 50 exhibits for the Urban Best Practices Area as well as 17 corporate pavilions.

Construction on the Expo's five permanent structures - China Pavilion, the Performance Center, the Expo Center, Expo Boulevard and the Theme Pavilion - will finish by the year's end.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong; Yang Dinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shanghai People's Congress; and Zhong Yanqun, fulltime deputy director of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee, were present during the visit.

Finland Pavilion to provide sauna experience

an artist's rendition of the Finland Pavilion

an artist's rendition of the Finland Pavilion

Finland Pavilion will include a 100-square-meter sauna, which is only open to the pavilion's sponsors, while a detailed plan is in the works to introduce a typical Finnish sauna to the public, Pertti Huitu, Finland's commissioner general for the Expo, has revealed.

It is the only pavilion that will have sauna facilities at the 2010 Expo. Labeling Finland as a "sauna country" as the concept originated in the nation, Huitu on Tuesday said his team is working on a plan that would familiarize visitors with the sauna concept.

The three-floor building "Kirnu" will be surrounded by a lake that appears to float on the water. It has the slogan "Sharing Inspiration." The pavilion's design was inspired by nature, Huitu said.

Huitu said the shape of the exhibition hall on the second floor is unique and will "offer plenty of possibilities to surprise" visitors. According to the artist's rendition of the pavilion, the hall is circular-shaped, and Huitu mentioned that visitors won't see the end of all the segments and the exhibition is a unit which can't be divided into different parts.

He said the exhibit will involve a lot of interaction, but declined to disclose details on the design or any highlight as he hoped to keep it "secret to the last minute."

Finland is designing a comprehensive cultural program to promote Finnish music, especially the music for the younger generation of Expo 2010 visitors, Huitu said. On the list are jazz, opera, ballet, symphony, children's drama and some classical types of music.

A Shanghai company and a Finnish company have already been chosen to form a joint venture responsible for the operation of the cafeteria, and their names will be announced in September, according to Huitu.

Well-being, competence and the environment are the three key words of the Finnish showcase.

The piling and groundwork on the pavilion has been completed, and construction will end in November.

China National Song & Dance Ensemble to perform for Expo

The first Expo performance deal is signed between the Expo 2010 organizer and China National Song & Dance Ensemble at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.

The first Expo performance deal was signed between the Expo 2010 organizer and China National Song & Dance Ensemble at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.

The troupe will perform for Expo 2010 visitors at the Expo Performance Center with two performances a day in week days from April 30 to October 31 next year. Among the two, the Chinese performance will be mostly Chinese folk music and dances. The other one will feature foreign folk arts, such as classic dances of Northern Indian, Irish tap dances, and Arabic dances.

Officials with the troupe said they have put Expo 2010 as one of their top priorities and the two performances will involve contributions from Shanghai's artists.

The cast include Chen Weiya, who has co-directed the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympics, and Sha Xiaolan, the chief lighting designer of opening and closing ceremony of Beijing Olympics.

The China National Song & Dance Ensemble has accompanied Chinese top leaders to visit scores of countries and also performed for visiting top foreign leaders.

During the Expo 2010, about 100 performances will be held inside the Expo site every day and total shows will be more than 20,000 from April 30 to October 31 next year.

Cable TV Hong Kong interviews Expo 2010 organizer

Zhu Yonglei, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, is interviewed by Cable TV Hong Kong.

Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination Zhu Yonglei was interviewed by journalists from Cable TV Hong Kong on topics such as construction works on Expo site, Expo investment and event operation preparations.

The Expo preparation was smooth and preparation works, such as constructions on Expo site and Expo operation preparation, were on schedule, Zhu said.

Participants appreciated the "Better City, Better Life" theme and 240 countries and international organizations have confirmed participating in the event, he added.

He also said that the Expo 2010 will offer a stage for participants to discuss how to solve urban problems.

In his reply to the question "what to watch on Expo 2010," Zhu said the estimated 70 million visitors will have a chance to watch many outstanding culture activities and performances.

When asked "how could visitors work out an efficient plan," he said they should book hotels and buy tickets before hand and check the latest information about each pavilion online to work out the best itinerary that works for them.

The Cable TV Hong Kong will broadcast its program of Expo 2010 early this month.

COFCO becomes Sponsor of Expo 2010

scene of ceremony

Yang Xiong, Shanghai Executive Vice Mayor and executive deputy director of the Executive Committee of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, and Yu Xubo, a director and President of COFCO at the ceremony

Zhong Yanqun, fulltime deputy director of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee, delivers a speech.

Yu delivers a speech.

ong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, offers COFCO a bronze plate.

COFCO yesterday became the 13th senior sponsor of Expo 2010 after signing a deal with the organizer.

Expo Shanghai has 184 days of exhibition and up to 70 million estimated visitors, the food supply for visitors is a crucial issue, said Zhong Yanqun, fulltime deputy director of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee.

COFCO is a leading farm produce and food product manufacturer as well as a food service provider in China, she said. It offers products such as farm produces, food and oils, vegetable and fruits, soft drinks, sugar and drinking alcohol, Zhong added. She also hoped that the group will use Expo 2010 to showcase China's great achievements in food industry.

Yu Xubo, a director and President of COFCO, said that COFCO is focusing on the production chain from field to dinner table and the group will offer nutritious and healthy food, high-level living space and services by using renewable natural resources.

Yu also said that the group wants to be a promoter of harmony between human and nature, a guide of healthy way of shopping and a promoter and a pioneer to rebuild beautiful lives in cities.

The group will offer its contribution to Expo 2010 as senior sponsor of the event, Yu added.

Also yesterday, the cooking oil "Fortune" of the group became Expo 2010's exclusive edible oil product and the "Great Wall" wine became Expo 2010's exclusive wine product.

COFCO is ranked by the Fortune Magazine as one of the world's 500 biggest companies. It also runs the largest food business in China.

Expo Shanghai Online begins video promotion

A promotional video on Expo Shanghai Online, a Shanghai World Expo innovation, is aired.

A promotional video on Expo Shanghai Online, a Shanghai World Expo innovation, is being aired at 53 airports nationwide as well as on flights of some 12 Chinese airlines.

Airports in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have all geared up for the promotion. The video features three digital pictures to inform people about Expo Shanghai Online, which will offer visitors a virtual tour of Expo pavilions on the Internet.

It is an online extension and supplement of the real Expo.

Expo Shanghai Online has clinched its domain name at www.expo.cn, and a trial version will go live within the year.

A promotional video on Expo Shanghai Online, a Shanghai World Expo innovation, is aired.

A promotional video on Expo Shanghai Online, a Shanghai World Expo innovation, is being aired at 53 airports nationwide as well as on flights of some 12 Chinese airlines.

Airports in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have all geared up for the promotion. The video features three digital pictures to inform people about Expo Shanghai Online, which will offer visitors a virtual tour of Expo pavilions on the Internet.

It is an online extension and supplement of the real Expo.

Expo Shanghai Online has clinched its domain name at www.expo.cn, and a trial version will go live within the year.