The Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination held a press conference at the Fourth China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair on May 18, 2008. At the press conference, Zhu Yonglei, Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, briefed about 50 domestic and foreign reporters on the latest progress in preparation for Expo 2010 as well as Expo Shanghai Online, one of the highlights at the Expo. Ma Huateng, Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tencent Holdings Limited, a Web service sponsor of Expo 2010, also attended the press conference on invitation. Zhu said the combination of the physical Expo and a Website will transcend the limit of time and space, thus expanding the influence of the event and giving people a complete and unforgettable experience. Early this year, the Expo Organizer signed a senior sponsorship deal with Tencent, and authorized Tencent to be the general contractor for provision of system integration and operation and maintenance services of Expo Shanghai Online. A specific project team has been set up, which suggests a full launch of preparation for the Expo Shanghai Online program.

Zhu appreciated the overwhelming enthusiasm of enterprises and residents in Shenzhen in participating in Expo-related activities. Shenzhen-based Tencent became a senior Web service sponsor of Expo 2010 in this April. China Vanke Company Limited, a representative of joint-stock enterprises in China as well as a leading private property developer headquartered in Shenzhen, also confirmed, in last December, to build a corporate pavilion at Expo 2010. According to Ma, Tencent has completed the architecture design of Expo Shanghai Online and is now working on final confirmation for the technical scheme. Ma also promised to use the latest technologies for the Expo Shanghai Online program and provide the best Web services to assist the Expo Organizer in promoting the Chinese culture and hosting an everlasting event.