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Danger and opportunity

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-23 07:33

Hosting a successful World Expo in 2010 is always going to be a tall order. It becomes even more formidable after the splendid Beijing Olympics last August. Now, the world economic crisis has made this "economic and technological Olympics" even more arduous.

To call it an arduous and exciting task reflects the Chinese perception of a crisis, which brings both danger and opportunity.

A triumphant expo would bring much-needed hope and confidence to China and the world to combat sweeping economic woes, which are spreading like wildfires from the developed world into developing countries.

In this sense, the Shanghai Expo could be a great platform for countries and corporations to prove what they are capable of in times of great difficulties. This is indeed challenging and exciting.

Also exciting is the fact that the Shanghai Expo is likely to be the largest of its kind in history, regardless of the economic hardships.

Already 231 countries and international organizations had promised by Feb 4 to attend the extravaganza.

And so far no organization has backed out of its commitment. This will help fulfill China's pledge to attract 200 countries and international organizations.

The enthusiasm from the participating countries and organizations demonstrates their belief in the importance of fighting the economic disaster together. It also shows their optimism in China and Shanghai, respectively among the fastest growing countries and cities in the world.

The Chinese government has thrown its full weight behind the expo since the very beginning.

It has been keeping its word on offering US$100 million to developing countries in assisting them to take part.

China is also building 11 joint pavilions named after Africa, South Pacific, Caribbean Community, South America, Asia, Europe, United Nations and International Organizations to make it easier for more countries and organizations to attend.

Excitement aside, the challenges facing the expo, only 14 months away, are many and not easy.

It won't be easy to get all the countries, which promised to attend, to finally sign the contracts, in the wake of the financial crisis. The major concern now seems to be the United States, which prohibits government financing of such exhibitions. Private fund-raising has also met great hurdles.

So it is likely that the largest economic and technological power on earth may attend the expo with a reduced budget or even miss the event, as it did in Hanover, Germany, in 2000 and Zaragosa, Spain, last year.

Other countries might also have to scale back their commitments in order to appease public opinion.

The number of international travelers, expected to account for 5 percent of the estimated 70 million visitors during the six-month long party, may also be down.

Declining occupancy at five-star hotels in major Chinese cities is perhaps a portent.

China and host city Shanghai will also need to be cost conscious amid the many social and economic challenges they face.

World Expos have created many miracles in history. Now it is Shanghai's turn.

(China Daily 02/23/2009 page4)