Written by Zheng Li
Photographed by Xu Jiechen

It is a long-term and pivotal work for Shanghai to invite as many international participants to the Expo 2010 Shanghai China as possible in the run-up to the exhibition pageantry. On April 24, Mr. Yang Xiong, Member of the Organizing Committee of the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Executive Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Vice-mayor of Shanghai announced at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council that a total of 13 countries and one international organization has confirmed their participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China up to April 23. The international invitation extending work for the Expo Shanghai has been progressing smoothly.

Sincere Invitation

The international society had devoted much more attention to the Expo Shanghai, making inquiries about the participation to the Expo, since the Application for Registration of Expo 2010 Shanghai China was approved on the 138th General Assembly of the BIE last December, which stood for the completion of the legal registration work for the Expo Shanghai. On March 22 this year, the Chinese government sent out its Letter of Invitation to the Expo 2010, signed by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, to the embassies of foreign countries in China, which means the official start of the invitation of international participants to the Expo 2010, and the preparation for the Expo Shanghai has entered into a pivotal stage.

Active Promotion

The Executive Committee and the Organizing Committee of the Shanghai World Expo have, in line with the uniform arrangement and guiding policies formulated by the central government, revved up its efforts in marketing and promotion in a bid to invite more countries and international organizations to the Expo Shanghai since the letters of invitation were sent out.

On April 12, the Shanghai 2010 World Expo National Organizing Committee held a media briefing in Beijing to introduce the latest progress in the preparation for the Expo Shanghai since the adoption of the registration report by BIE and the invitation extending work to the diplomatic envoys of foreign countries to China and resident representatives of international organizations. On April 21, the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee also held a media briefing in Shanghai to introduce the preparation for the Expo Shanghai to foreign diplomatic envoys in Shanghai and resident representatives of sister cities.

At the two conferences, Mr. Yang Xiong, briefed reporters on the preparatory work for the Expo Shanghai, and Mr. Hua Junduo, Commissioner General for Shanghai Expo introduced the progress in inviting international participants to the Expo Shanghai and the future work plan. Mr. Hua added that China is looking forward to the active participation to and warm support for the Expo Shanghai from other countries and international organizations, and the country welcomes these countries and organizations to send deputies to China for field investigation and for further negotiation with China. When appropriate, China will also send delegations to relevant countries to deepen communication on affairs regarding the participation to the Shanghai World Expo.

Positive Feedback

The international community responded positively to the official exhibition invitation to the Expo Shanghai. At present, about 100 countries have expressed their willingness to participate in the Expo, while some of them have accepted China's invitation to participate in Expo 2010 Shanghai. On April 24, Vice Mayor Yang Xiong announced the names of these countries and organizations at the press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council. Mr. Yang hoped that more and more countries and international organizations would participate in Expo 2010 in Shanghai, joining hands to make the Expo Shanghai a successful gala showcasing the economic, scientific, social, and cultural achievements by various countries, and a platform for all the countries to reflect upon their histories, to communicate and cooperate and to look forward to the future.