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China Daily | Updated: 2010-05-07 07:55

XINHUA.NET

"I personally think Hangzhou and Paris are two excellent cases of livable cities. In Hangzhou, visitors will not feel like tourists just there for sightseeing. They feel fully incorporated into everyday life of the city and become a part of the city. You will think of silk, tea, opera and seals, and all the details of a sensible life. For Paris, I like the grand libraries in the city in which you can read in comfort and take glimpses of the thriving gardens outside the windows."

Yu Dan

noted scholar with Beijing Normal University

NANFANG DAILY

"The opening ceremony has fulfilled the purpose of Expo 2010 Shanghai and expressed the magnanimity of a great country. It was different from other galas and was a visual extravaganza. As many high-tech elements were implemented in the opening ceremony, we prepared a lot of contingency plans in case errors occurred."

Teng Junjie

general director of opening ceremony for Expo 2010 Shanghai

www.LIAO1.com

"I don't want to express that water makes sound. I want to express the symphony of hearts. When the water is beaten, it's the sound of nature. Melody is a too narrow a definition for music. If we can hear the sound of nature and feel the secret of being, the value of this theme song will be fulfilled. The inspiration came from an empty teacup. When I finished the tea and heard the sound in my mouth and throat, then I saw the empty cup. I felt the strong link between life and water, then I went to the Huangpu River to hear the waves and the flow."

Tan Dun

composer of theme song for Expo 2010 Shanghai,

which includes the sounds of water.

GUANGZHOU DAILY

"People's attitudes towards certain architecture may change over time. Take the Eiffel Tower for example. It was not popular, and even resented, when it was built. Some Parisians protested against it. However, the Eiffel Tower has become an irreplaceable part of the city over the past century. The China Pavilion may also become an irreplaceable building in the future."

Li Xiangning

deputy head of College of Architecture and Urban Planning,

Tongji University

(China Daily 05/07/2010 page38)