Expo 2010 Shanghai Last updated: May 7, 2010

World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, is a landmark international gathering showcasing urban innovation and cultural diversity in the 21st century. Held between May 1 and October 31, 2010, it will feature exhibitions from nearly than 200 participating countries and 50 international organizations. All together 70 million people from around the world are expected to attend, making Expo 2010 the largest world exposition ever held to date.

The hosting of the World Expo must be applied for by a country and approved by the Bureau of International Exhibitions. The 2002 announcement that China would host the Expo gives expression to the international community’s confidence in China’s opening-up and future development; this the first time that a world exposition has been held in a developing country. In a flurry of construction and resident support, 18,000 households were successfully relocated from the 5.28 square km Expo Site with unprecedented efficiency.

The Expo organizers have worked tirelessly to make Expo 2010 a spectacular event that strengthens international relations between nations and opens new vistas for the exchange of ideas worldwide. Since the first World Expo held in 1851 in London, world expositions have served as major platforms for displaying science, culture, and technology from around the world. Specifically, the sharing of ideas and innovations has become a defining characteristic of Expos. These exchanges have seen tangible and monumental advancements in the world; for example, at the 1939 New York World Expo, General Motors proposed the idea of super highways, which paved the way for a new transport era.

Expo 2010 will be the first World Expo focusing on the development of cities in the 21st century, under the theme “Better City, Better Life” in light of the world’s rapid urban evolution. With over half the world population now living in cities, the prospect of future urban life is a subject of global interest to all nations and their people. Expo 2010 will address issues of environmental sustainability and urban development as they emerge as critical aspects of the future advancement of human lifestyles.

Exhibitors build custom-designed pavilions, the visual highlights of the Expo, which house displays about their experiences with urban development. In addition to their incredible architecture, many pavilion buildings implement state-of-the-art technologies to maintain energy efficiency. The Expo Site is equipped with energy-efficient facilities and vehicles to ensure that the Expo embodies its theme in creating eco-friendly societies and sustainable lifestyles.

National pavilions will also showcase the unique culture and lifestyles of their people alongside their technological advancements. Traditional cuisine will be offered in the pavilion restaurants and performances will be held throughout the duration of the Expo. Cross-culture dialogues and education will serve as a springboard for the improvement of international relations.

The Expo aims to gain the support and understanding of various countries and peoples in a celebration of cultural diversity and common goals and create a powerful legacy for the future.