"Better City, Better Life", the theme of Expo Shanghai, is very good. We highly appreciate this chance to visit Pakistan. We will learn from other countries in terms of urban planning and management.

By Wang Yanbing

As the organizers started the preparation work for Expo Shanghai, they also started further communication and discussion with various nations and international organizations. While discussing about Expo Shangh ai with Mr. Zafar, Pakistan Consul-General in Shanghai, we felt that Pakistan came both as a participant and a friend. Zafar explained the participating reason and schedule in standard Mandarin, and noted that all countries in the world, particularly the developing countries, would like to join Expo Shanghai in order to share each other's experiences in terms of urban development and co-operations. They would build better city lives together.

Reporter: The international invitation for participation to Expo Shanghai has drawn great attention and responses from the international community. Pakistan is among the earliest countries to confirm participation; we would like to learn about the reason behind Pakistan's participation.

Zafar: First of all, I would like to thank your visit here. Pakistan is among the earliest countries to confirm participation in Expo Shanghai and there are mainly two reasons behind this. First of all, Pakistan and China are friendly neighboring countries and year 2006 was the 55th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relationship. Shanghai and Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, have also been friendly cities since 1984. The two nations have had various co-operations that enhanced our relationship. Hence, as a friendly neighboring nation, we definitely would want to participate in Expo Shanghai.

Besides, the World Expo, with more than 150 years' history, provides the world with a great communication and learning platform. Through this platform, not only can we introduce the history, culture and economics in our nation, but also learn about the world.

Reporter: Pakistan has very distinctive historical, cultural and folk customs. During the Expo Shanghai, will you focus on displaying the modernization of the city or the folk culture? How is the preparation going? Will Pakistan enterprises join?

Zafar: It should be a combination of both, and would feature the theme of Expo Shanghai -- "Better City, Better Life". Taking advantage of the Expo, we will introduce the historical, cultural and folk customs as well as development situations in various areas. Moreover, we will highlight the friendly relationship between Pakistan and China.

In terms of preparation, we have authorized our trading promotion committee to operate. They have started preparation tasks including the pavilion design. We also recommended some service suppliers of Expo Shanghai to them for future co-operations. Of course, some excellent enterprises from Pakistan will also join the Expo to promote the culture and products of the enterprises. It will be like the Expo 2005 Aichi where enterprises would display crafts and folk costumes from Pakistan.

Reporter: In Pakistan, How much does average citizens know about Expo Shanghai? Will Pakistan citizens come to Shanghai for the Expo in 2010?

Zafar: Currently, Pakistan citizens still don't know very much about Shanghai, but they know that Shanghai is a beautiful city. Due to lack of knowledge about the great changes in Shanghai, most Pakistan citizens probably don't have much impression of the changed Shanghai.

I suggest that Shanghai should do more road shows in overseas cities for promotion. Certainly, as a participant country, we will do our best in promoting as well. I've looked at relevant data, which showed that many developing countries from Africa and Asia would join the Expo Shanghai. Those countries are relatively less developed in which the Internet popularization rates are lower than traditional media like TV. Hence, I suggest that the organizers could produce some documentaries about Shanghai's urban planning and economic development for participating countries, which would help average citizens to know more about Shanghai and Expo Shanghai through media. Certainly, I believe that you probably have plans like this. I believe that many Pakistan citizens would come visit the Expo Shanghai in 2010.

Reporter: Every participating country has some wishes for the World Expo, what's your expectation for the Shanghai Expo?

Zafar: I haven't attended the Expos in the past, so I cannot make comparisons. But I have worked in Shanghai for a while and have joined the Expo Shanghai Participant Conference. the materials prepared for the participating countries and the official website of Expo Shanghai provided not only inclusive information for participating countries, but also relevant materials for average citizens. Moreover, the preparation work was initiated so early, which makes me believe that Expo Shanghai would be the most attended, largest and most successful Expo.

I'm not sure whether I will still be working in Shanghai in 2010, but I will definitely come to Shanghai to experience it even I'm not working here anymore.