Shanghai eagerly awaits decision
( 2002-11-28 11:00 ) (7 )

Chinese government officials are keeping their fingers crossed when the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) casts their ballot on December 3 deciding which city will host the 2010 World Expo.

"Preparations are in full swing and we have enormous determination and confidence in hosting a successful and memorable Expo if China wins the bid," said Shanghai Mayor Chen Liangyu.

With strong public support, huge market potential, and first-rate infrastructure, Shanghai has demonstrated its competitive edge in its bid for the 2010 World Expo, Chen said.

"The Chinese Government stands firmly behind Shanghai and has pledged to provide it with all kinds of financial support and preferential taxation policies if it wins," said Chinese State Councillor Wu Yi at a meeting in Paris with BIE President Gilles Noghes on July 1. Wu is also chief of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Bidding Committee.

"A world exposition in Shanghai will contribute to China's opening-up and reform, expand the exchange and co-operation between Shanghai and foreign countries, and add a new dynamic to the World Expo," she said.

Chen added that the Shanghai Expo will attract 70 million visitors and generate many business opportunities for China and the world.

"It will help stimulate Shanghai to build itself into a world-class city as soon as possible that is well suitable for people to work, live and invest in," he said.

Wu said Shanghai's bid for the event has won strong popular support along with letters of support from President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji.

The General Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Quality Supervision and Quarantine and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Public Security have also promised to provide all possible support.

"The Chinese Government is a responsible government and the Chinese people are hospitable people," said Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Guangya.

"If the world decides to give this opportunity to Shanghai, the Chinese Government will certainly do everything possible to honour all commitments."

China has already promised that it will provide developing countries with assistance worth US$100 million in an effort to guarantee that they will not be barred from attending the event due to a shortage of funds.

The money will be used to cover the costs in renting, designing and constructing exhibition halls and shipping exhibits, he said.

"Making a profit is not the major consideration behind our bid," said Wang. "The Chinese Government will make this event beneficial to all people."

All participating countries and regions, including those that have not established a diplomatic relationship with China, will have convenient passage when their personnel and cargo go through Chinese customs.

News media will also have convenient passage.

Zhang Zhigang, vice-minister of the State Economic and Trade Commission, said: "Such an event will also increase opportunities for trade and economic co-operation between participating countries, regions and Shanghai and China."

Shanghai is China's most important commercial hub. Together with neighbouring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, it is an engine for the nation's economic growth.

Participating countries and regions will benefit from a World Expo where participants can exchange views on the diversity of urban culture, the prosperity of urban economies and urban scientific innovation under the theme of "better city, better life," Zhang said.

A Business Supporting Council, comprised of 56 overseas enterprises in China, was established in March to support Shanghai's bid. Many major French enterprises, including Carrefour, Alcatel, Alstom, AXA Group and Danone, have also set up a club backing China's bid.

"More foreign businesses are tapping the great market potential in China and especially in Shanghai which has attracted more than half of the world's top 500 multinationals," said Yu Xiaosong, chairman of the China Council for Promoting International Trade.

Foreign organizations are also showing their support.

"Should China's bid be successful, we are committed to supporting the Shanghai mayor and his colleagues in their efforts to make the 2010 World Expo a truly memorable event," said Daniel Vasella, chairman of the 14th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council held in Shanghai early November.