Written by Dai Qian

Photographed by Xu Jiechen

During the interval of the "Forum 2006 - Expo 2010 Shanghai China", we were privileged to have an interview with Mr. Wu Jianming, President of BIE. Mr. Wu, who has experienced four World Expo Forums, expects much in the coming Expo 2010 Shanghai. Challenges lie in Urban Development

According to Mr. Wu, with the economy booming, many developing countries are experiencing faster urbanization, which is also the challenge China will face in the future. Currently, the average global urbanization is 50%, while the percentage for China is less than 40%. Many problems lie in the process of urbanization. Seeking the solutions to these will become the force that drives World Expo Shanghai.

Illuminating the theme of World Expo is the key to success

When talking about the smooth process of inviting bids for World Expo Shanghai o, as well as the concerns of global specialists who attend the yearly World Expo Forum, Mr. Wu thought that this displays the high expectation of international communities to World Expo Shanghai. In his words "It is unprecedented that the developing countries, holding a population of 3.3 billion, are all developing rapidly, particularly Asia. Asia's "entry" into World Expo demonstrates its effort to "Catch up with the world trend". It is our sincere hope that in Expo 2010 Shanghai, we human beings will be able to make some breakthrough in seeking the solution to the challenges of urban development."

In the view of Mr. Wu, the success of World Expo Shanghai depends on transmitting to the whole world that China’s rise is based on peace and human society; and the key of that lies in better illuminating the theme of "Better City, Better Life". And preparation for the World Expo itself has manifested this theme.

Mr. Wu said that it is more than 150 years since the first World Expo. The key to its everlasting energy is because of its forward-looking vision. Meanwhile, each Expo tries to solve some current problem of global concern. Thus, in illuminating the theme of Expo 2010 Shanghai, we should focus on these two points.

Blazing a new trail for World Expo

Someone may argue the influence of World Expo in this Internet Age. Mr. Wu has also noticed this attitude increasing worldwide, regarding World Expo as lacking value and could be substituted by the Internet. In Mr. Wu's opinion, the appearance of the Internet has decreased some face-to-face communication, but nothing could completely take the place of Expo. On the contrary, the decrease of direct communication caused by the Internet attaches even more importance to World Expo, which is one of the largest-scale global activities. These days, frequent conflicts occur, and in order to create harmony, the World Expo can create a bridge for people all over the world, clear misapprehensions, improve mutual understanding and balance oppositions.

World Expo Shanghai is the big opportunity for China

Mr. Wu concluded by saying that World Expo Shanghai will possess four "Big" features: "Big show","Big communication", "Big cooperation"and "Big development"”.

"Big show is to grasp this particular theme, and show here the achievements of civilization. With all countries participating, they can show off their most advanced achievements, which brings us to the second feature: Big communication. There will be millions of visitors coming from all over the world, appreciating the advances of human civilization, thus, we can talk while visiting, here I mean face-to-face communication. This communication leads to the third feature: Big cooperation. Communication helps each side know the demands of the other, and allows the possibility of cooperation. The World Expo transforms this possibility into reality, that is, Big cooperation. And Big development follows Big cooperation. History tells us that "closed" countries cannot realize development, especially in an age of globalization, and international cooperation is the only way to development."

In closing, Mr. Wu told us that the opportunity from Shanghai World Expo is not for Shanghai or the Yangtze River delta only, but for China, Asia and the whole world.