Preparations underway to welcome Gotheborg

Gotheborg, the good-will envoy between China and Sweden is to arrive in Shanghai on Tuesday as the last part of its long voyage. Preparatory works are in progress to give the ship a warm welcome. Various programs are also being prepared as part of the International Navigation Festival. Sweden Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Philips will visit Shanghai onboard the Gotheborg.

During Gotheborg’s stay in Shanghai, a series of cultural and commercial events will be held. Hongkou District government says that 2010 letters written by the Chinese young people will be taken back by the ship as a token of goodwill and hospitable invitation from the Shanghaiers.

The letters will either be delivered to the locals as the ship stops at different cities on its way back or directly to Sweden for the young there, inviting them to Shanghai Expo2010. According to tentative plans, Gotheborg is expected to return to Shanghai in 2010 as the Sweden Pavilion in Expo2010