Coca-Cola celebrates birthday at Expo site

SHANGHAI - A "Coca-Cola Day" was celebrated at the Expo Garden on Saturday to commemorate the debut of the iconic soft drink's launch in 1886.

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The celebration included interactive performances in front of more than 2,000 visitors and Expo officials.

Among the highlights of the celebration was a special visit by the Expedition 206 team, bringing Haibao, the Expo mascot, back to Shanghai and to the Coca-Cola Pavilion.

Expedition 206 is a year-long journey of a team of three "happiness ambassadors" to find out what makes people happy by traveling to the 206 countries where the drink is sold.

Chinese pop stars Jacky Cheung and Jane Zhang Liangying, as well as African-born hip-hop artist K'naan, performed live as a part of the celebration and introduced the Chinese version of Waving Flag - Coca-Cola Celebration Mix, the soundtrack for all global Coca-Cola marketing campaigns for its sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

"Expo 2010 Shanghai is about bringing people together and celebrating the optimism of the human spirit," said Glenn Jordan, president of the company's Pacific Group.

"It is our honor to celebrate Coca-Cola Day at Expo 2010, with Shanghai, with China and with the world."

The company will continue to celebrate its nearly 125-year history throughout the 184-day Expo at its corporate pavilion by offering visitors a unique journey into the world of Coca-Cola.