Zhong Yanqun, Vice Chair of Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, stated the latest development of preparations for Shanghai Expo at the 139th Session of the BIE General Assembly held in Paris on June 30 local time.

Respected President Wu Jianmin,

Respected Secretary-General Loscertales,

Dear Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Ambassador Hua has just mentioned, many countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in World Expo 2010 Shanghai China in a very short time. As the organizer, we feel so grateful to them. To live up to the enthusiasm and great expectation from international community, we will do our best in preparing for this Expo. Now, I have the pleasure to report to you on the progress in our work since the 138th BIE General Assembly which officially approved our registration document.

We have further detailed our working agenda. We are now in the implementation stage. We have divided our work into ninety-six categories of tasks, with specific timetable and departments in charge. So far as the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination is concerned, we have reshaped our organization structure. We are speeding up our preparation in the following six fields, that is, general planning, exhibition, construction, operation, promotion and support. To achieve that, more and more municipal departments are getting involved in this endeavor.

In terms of expo site clearance, over eighteen thousand families have all moved to two new compounds. About fifty percent of the site space will be available by the end of this year and all the site clearance will be done in the first half of next year. Regarding environment protection, a report has been made by an evaluation team, saying that the Shanghai Expo will be environment friendly and its impact will be very positive.

In view of the construction, the design of major projects will soon be ready for ground-breaking this year. They include Theme Pavilion, China pavilion, the Expo Village, the Public Event Center and some roads. By the end of this year, construction will be started for the green areas and underground facilities. Theme pavilion, China Pavilion, Performing Art Center, World Expo Museum and Expo Village will enter the construction period early next year.

As far as the city infrastructure is concerned, four metro lines, two cross-river tunnels, one maglev line and a number of wharfs connecting the expo site with the rest of the city have been planned, some of them are already under construction. Other transportation projects such as the  Pudong International Airport expansion, Hongqiao Transport Hub and Beijing-Shanghai Express are progressing rapidly and will be completed before early 2010.

The locations for national pavilions have been arranged. The built-by-participant areas will be available to the participants by November 1st, 2007. The stand-alone pavilions for rent and the joint pavilions will be completed respectively by May 1st and November 1st, 2009.

Since last year, we have carried out theme development work, based on programs selected from home and abroad. We believe that theme development is not only in the content of pavilions, but also in the expo venue, event and site design. With certain achievements in hand, we still feel the need for a breakthrough. To this end, a pool of experts and specialists from universities and other professional teams have been called for the third round of brainstorming. For the time being, we are furthering theme development on Theme pavilion, China Pavilion and Urban Experimental Zone.

We understand the core concept of the theme of this expo is “harmonious city”.  It is embodied in three perspectives, namely, harmony among people, harmony between man and nature, as well as harmony between the past and the future. The site design tries to interpret these as follows. The national pavilions zone focuses on harmony among people; the urban wetland and green areas alongside the Huangpu River reflects the harmony between man and nature; the historic buildings and a new public plaza reflect the past-future harmony.

China Pavilion will highlight the idea that cities are the crystallization of human civilization. Theme pavilion will explore how cities can make a better platform for social, economic and cultural development. Then, Urban Experimental Zone will showcase “future cities” in the mind of innovation cities.

Apart from these exhibits, ten thousand of entertainment activities and forums will also be centered on the theme, offering various insights.

Indeed, as the organizer, we attach great importance to theme development work. A special commission has been set up to examine and upgrade the existing theme development plans. The final blueprint is to be in form this October for Urban Experimental Zone and by the end of this year for Theme pavilion, China Pavilion, events and forums.

In September this year, together with BIE, we will host the fourth Shanghai Expo Forum. The topic is “Better City, Better Life: Make It Happen, Make It Last.” Your contributions will be highly appreciated.

Communication and Promotion is another key task for us. A Publicity Project is already taking shape, with promoters-in-charge, budgets and other issues identified. The Project aims at three groups of targets as below.

At the media level, from the beginning of this year, more than fifty famous national and international media, including CNN, BBC and CCTV have covered our work. Further publicity projects have been including in leading national media.  So far, more than five hundred and fifty reports have appeared on the media ever since our invitation for participation was officially issued.

At the citizens’ level, our call for improving personal manner has received warm response. Millions of Shanghainese, old or young, are engaged in the “Etiquette plus English” program. The “Family Inn” project is also well received. Shanghai citizens are eager to host visitors from around the world, and convey hospitality in person.

With regard to promotion towards industry, we held a large-scale promotion campaign towards enterprises in March. China Eastern Airline became Shanghai Expo’s first partner. An airplane bearing the Shanghai Expo logo has been put into service. The business partnership and sponsorship program is moving forward, as planned, into other industries including telecommunications, automobile and finance. Ten partners are scheduled to be chosen by the end of this year.

At the international level, we have planned to take the advantage of some international grand events to promote the Shanghai Expo, such as Royal Thai Flora Expo 2006, Special Olympic Games Shanghai 2007, Year of China in Russia 2007, the Fourth World Urban Forum in Nanjing 2008, Zaragoza Expo 2008 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Last but not least, a few words about international participant service. The Special Regulations are being drafted as scheduled. We’ll submit No. 3 to No. 10 by May 1st, 2007, and No.11 to No. 15 by November 1st, 2008. This July we’ll submit the Participation Guide, covering the Preferential Taxation Policy and Financial Assistance to Developing Countries.

In addition, the exhibition service plan and the operation and management plan will be taking shape by the end of this year.

Moreover, we have set up a special team for technical negotiation with the confirmed international participants. The service workflow is ready. Real-time information will be made available to the participants.

That is all I wish to say. May I conclude it by thanking you once again for your consistent support.  Thank you very much!