PARIS -- China will become more open by holding the Shanghai World Expo, which will be the best in history, says Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, secretary-general of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE).
China is preparing for the expo with "tremendous enthusiasm, innovative devotion and outstanding capacity," Loscertales said in a recent interview with Xinhua ahead of the one-year countdown to the event.
The Shanghai World Expo, scheduled to open on May 1 next year, will be an opportunity not only for the city of Shanghai, but for China at large, he said.
Some 70 million visitors, or more than 400,000 per day, are expected to visit the expo next year, he said.
This is the first time for China to hold the world expo, which has great significance for the country, Loscertales said.
Loscertales said a large number of countries are participating in the expo, which signifies their recognition of China's achievements and their willingness to regard China as an important partner and friend.
Moreover, China's success in its bid to hold the world expo indicates that the Chinese culture is being accepted by more and more people, he said, adding that China's 5,000 years of history and cultural heritage is a precious one. Loscertales said that today, a lot of inventions and daily necessities come from China, which will be further manifested at the world expo.
Loscertales said he very much appreciates the theme of the Shanghai World Expo "Better City, Better Life," saying that the emergence of cities is an interesting phenomenon in the history of human civilization.
About 60 percent of the world's population now live in cities, in which living standards are most important. The BIE has 155 member states, almost as many as the United Nations. In this regard, the expo will serve as a platform for dialogue between various nations on the topic of cities, he said.
China's cities have a long history, and are also facing some challenges, he said. "If there is such a nation that knows both the benefits and challenges of cities, it must be China. China is hoping to take the opportunity (of the world expo) to talk to the world," Loscertales said.
China has made innovations in preparing for the expo, in which participants will showcase the joy and convenience of city life, including public transportation, recycling systems and ecological constructions, he said.
Loscertales said although many Chinese cities are facing environmental problems, more and more people have realized the problems, and are trying to strike a balance between nature and cities. In this regard, China has set a good example for African countries, he said.
Hosting the world expo will bring about tremendous changes to China, including new constructions in Shanghai and new energy generated in China's economy amid the current world financial crisis, he said.
Apart from this, the expo provides the people with more expectations. "The world expo will help China open its doors wider to the world. The Chinese people hope that people in other places can see and recognize their efforts ... China is not only a traditional ancient country proud of its culture, it is also an open country with industrious and brave people," he said.
"The outstanding achievements that China has obtained in its economy has been appreciated by the world. Now it is time for people to learn more about the Chinese culture," Loscertales said.
Although the current global economic crisis has hit almost all countries in the world, it poses a very limited impact on the world expo, he said, adding that so far, the BIE has not received a single withdrawal application from any country.
It is estimated that 40 participating countries will build their own national pavilions, many of which are already under construction. Other countries will share collective pavilions such as Africa and Latin America, he said.
"For the past nine years I have been working with the Chinese people. They are competent and full of humor," Loscertales said. "I believe that China and the world will deepen their mutual understanding through the Shanghai World Expo."
The secretary-general also expressed his love for the city of Shanghai, saying that "maybe I will live in Shanghai and become a citizen when I retire."
Loscertales said he hoped the organizers and their partners will continue their cooperative efforts in the final preparations of the world expo. "In the coming year, let's continue our hard work and maintain our confidence. I'm sure we will hold the best world expo in history," he said.
New song marks 30-day countdown
Little Mermaid moving to Shanghai for 2010 World Expo
