Haibao knowhow

Q: Who was the first Chinese to participate in a World's Fair?

A: Merchant Xu Rongcun, who contributed to the first-ever World's Fair in Britain in 1851.

Born in Xiangshan, Guangdong province, Xu came to Shanghai as one of the early traders after the city opened its ports. He served as a comprador for the Dent Company, which was established by English businessmen. It was here he learned of the expo from British diplomats and business people in Shanghai.