Year-long countdown to Shanghai Expo begins in Beijing

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-01 22:36

BEIJING -- Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo started a timer Friday for the year-long countdown to the Shanghai World Expo at Tian'anmen Square in the Chinese capital Beijing.

Year-long countdown to Shanghai Expo begins in Beijing

Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo (R) applauds after starting a year-long countdown timer installed at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing for the Shanghai World Expo to be held on May 1, 2010. [Xinhua] more photos

Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said at a ceremony that the government would spare no efforts in preparation for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, and the country looked forward to experiencing technological advances and sharing the achievements of human civilization with friends from across the world.

He said the World Expo had proved during its more than 150-year history to play an important, unique role in promoting world economic and technological development.

The Expo could also help promote the development of civilizations and cultures, he said.

China's business hub, Shanghai, won a bid to host the 2010 World Expo in 2002. The Expo will be on stage from May 1 to October 31 next year.

So far more than 230 countries, regions and international organizations have confirmed that they would participate in the Expo, which will use the theme of "Better City, Better Life".

Previous page 1 2 Next Page