Zhou Hanmin meets the New Zealand delegation led by Geoff Dangerfield, chief executive of the Ministry of Economic Development

Dangerfield asks questions about the preparation of the Expo 

Zhou Hanmin and  Dangerfield have a bird's eye view atop the Expo manssion

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, today met with a New Zealand delegation led by Geoff Dangerfield, chief executive of the Ministry of Economic Development. They discussed details of New Zealand's participation in World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Zhou extended warm welcome to the delegation. Zhou said New Zealand was the first country in Oceania to confirm its participation in the Expo.

Chinese people had a good impression on the country, Zhou said. The organisers hoped New Zealand would present a splendid pavilion.

Zhou gave some the general information about the World Expo and a report on the latest progress of preparations for the event.

It is expected that 200 countries and international organistions will take part in the event and 70 million visitors from home and abroad will visit Shanghai for the Expo in 2010, Zhou said.

Zhou also spoke about the Expo's marketing plan, corporation pavilions and the Urban Best Practices Area (UPBA).

Dangerfield appreciated the innovative ideas behind the creation of the UBPA and asked for details about the selection procedure and the members of the selection committee.

Dangerfield said New Zealand had been busy preparing its the national paviliont.

After the meeting, the delegation had a bird's eye view of the site from atop the Expo Mansion and visited the master plan exhibition hall downstairs.