A statue of World Expo 2010 mascot Haibao was unveiled at Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong New Area.
The skyscraper is the tallest on the Chinese mainland at a height of 492 meters.
Promotional materials about the 2010 event are also available in the presentation gallery on the 28th floor of the center as the organizer steps up promotion efforts.
an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
Kim JeongKee, Consul Genenal of Republic of Korea in Shanghai, has recently introduced the features of ROK Pavilion to media.
The ROK Pavilion at World Expo 2010 will be its most expensive ever and is expected to further lure visitors to the specialized Expo 2012 in Yeosu, the Republic of Korea, according to the interview. The theme of Expo 2012 is "The Living Ocean and Coast."
South Korea has taken part in 17 World Expos and specialized expositions since the 1962 World Expo in Seattle, Washington State, US.
ROK has increased its budget to 40 billion ROK won (US$32 million) from original 29.6 billion won to offset the depreciated value of won and keep the exhibition's high quality, Kim said.
The country's investment in World Expo 2010 Shanghai will be its biggest-ever Expo investment as it hopes to lure visitors to its own 2012 extravaganza. The ROK team also recently lifted its goal to attract 7 million visitors throughout the Expo Shanghai period from its original of 5 million, according to the report.
In addition to the ROK Pavilion, many companies from the country are going to jointly build a ROK Corporate Pavilion, one of the 17 corporate pavilions.
The ROK Corporate Pavilion will cover an area of 3,000 square meters with more than 10 companies participating in the exhibition.
The trade between China and ROK increased 26 times since the two establish diplomatic ties and China has become the biggest trade partner of ROK, said Kim.
China has launched a large-scale economic stimulus plan, which has offer a good opportunity for ROK companies to expand further in the Chinese market, Kim added.
Kim also said that the ROK Pavilion is the best window for these ROK companies that want to catch that opportunity.
an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
an artist's rendition of ROK Pavilion
Expo Yeosu in ROK will be held two years after Expo 2010. Expo 2010's ROK Pavilion will have a section to introduce the Expo Yeosu.
Expo Shanghai 2010 and Expo Yeosu 2012 will offer brand-new perspectives and contents for the two peoples to know each other, he said.
The ROK Pavilion, whose theme is "Friendly City, Colorful Life," will explore urban living today.
The white three-story ROK Pavilion will be easy to recognize. The exterior of the 6,000-square-meter structure is composed of hundreds of thousands of Korean letters in relief, about 20 basic letters.
ROK writing is one of the greatest inventions of its people, so the country will highlight words at the Expo 2010.
"I hope people will have an ever-lasting cozy memory of ROK after visiting the ROK Pavilion." Kim said.
an artist's rendition of Guizhou Province's Expo exhibition
an artist's rendition of Guizhou Province's Expo showcase
Guizhou Province has published an artist's rendition of its World Expo 2010 exhibition, which will showcase the province's natural beauty and culture.
With the theme "Charm of the Summer Resort," the 600-square-meter exhibition in the China Pavilion will incorporate elements such as a drum tower, waterfalls and minority masks. It will also show off the province's popular silver accessories.
The province has a variety of terrain and ethnic minorities.
an artist's rendition of the Mexico Pavilion
an artist's rendition of the Mexico Pavilion
Mexico is preparing a synthetic "Forest of Kites" atop its World Expo 2010 pavilion where visitors can relax under the shade and read a book or enjoy a picnic.
Mexico has recently unveiled its exhibition design with the kite square positioned as the heart of its pavilion. The kites will serve as a significant symbol of the cultural links between Mexico and China. Visitors will also be able to buy or make kites at the pavilion.
The 4,000-square-meter pavilion promises a chronological journey through the past, present and future of Mexico.
The exhibit starts with three giant screens of the nation's cities - one for the pre-Hispanic period, another for the colonial era and the last one for the 19th century. Visitors will continue their tour to the second section to observe scenes reflecting Mexico's cities in the present. The final part of the journey will feature some interactive items such as tables that will provide information about Mexico's development plans and sustainable environment programs in the pursuit of a better life.
Visitors will enter a box-shaped room at the end of the journey that contains Mexico's proposals for the future. In this confined space of three screens, they will get real-time images of the "Forest of Kites." They are invited to go up and experience various activities on the roof of the pavilion.
The pavilion will also include a restaurant providing authentic Mexican cuisine as well as a store selling traditional Mexican handcrafts.
Construction on the pavilion will start on Thursday. Its theme is "Living Better."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
