On May 15, 2001 the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Bidding Committee held an introductory conference in Beijing, briefing foreign ambassadors to China and foreign media with regard to the background and preparation status of China’s bid for 2010 World Expo. On behalf of the Chinese government, Wu Yi, Member of the State Council, formally stated that the Chinese government fully supported Shanghai’s bid.

The conference was hosted by Zhang Yesui, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mayor Xu Kuangdi presented the advantages for Shanghai in bidding for 2010 World Expo and discussed the city’s preparations. Yu Xiaosong, Director of the Trade Promotion Committee, introduced a discussion on earlier contacts between China and the International Bureau of Exhibition regarding China? participation in previous World Expositions.

Wu Yi stated that the Chinese government fully supported Shanghai in bidding for 2010 World Expo, saying “We truly believe that, Shanghai, China’s largest economic centre and a very significant international metropolis, will be successful in bidding for the 2010 World Exposition”.

On behalf of Shanghai’s 130 million citizens, Xu Kuangdi emphasised the will and determination of Shanghai to host 2010 World Expo for the international community. He noted that Shanghai was a fast developing city and that since 1999, Shanghai’s government had established a Bid Preparation Team composed of municipal government figures actively preparing to bid for 2010 World Expo.

Shanghai hopes to host 2010 World Expo on a site in Pudong New Area, from early June to the end of October 2010. The theme will focus on the concepts of city, environment and quality of life, a common concern for all cities. Xu Kuangdi stressed that, with the support of our country and people, Shanghai can confidently host a state-of-the-art World Expo.

In May 1999 The Shanghai Municipal Government proposed to bid for 2010 World Expo, an exposition held every five years. On December 8 1999, at the 126th Council of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, representatives of the Chinese government officially declared their full support for Shanghai''s bid. In addition to Shanghai, other cities that have officially proposed to bid for 2010 World Expo are Ryosu City in South Korea and Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. While China has never hosted a World Expo, in 1999 it successfully held the World Flower Exposition in Kunming.