Shanghai event has 189 nations, 57 international organizations
SHANGHAI - Expo 2010 Shanghai has attracted a record 246 participants, though three previously confirmed countries missed the global showcase for their own reasons, organizers said on Wednesday.
A total of 189 nations and 57 international organizations will attend the 184-day cultural gala. Burkina Faso in Western Africa, Bhutan in South Asia and Kuwait -- which had confirmed their participation earlier -- will not send their participants to Shanghai in time for the opening.
Earlier counts said a total of 242 participants, including 192 nations and 50 international organizations, had confirmed their attendance with Expo organizers, much more than the record 172 set at the 2000 event in Hanover, Germany.
"The three countries have shown great support to the Expo," said Hong Hao, bureau chief of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination. "But due to various difficulties, they have yet to show up at the Expo."
The cultural gala, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, will showcase the concept of "Better City, Better Life" in pavilions from almost every country, as well as in many international organizations, cities and big corporations.
It will be a landmark occasion for Shanghai, giving China's financial hub a chance to show off its forests of modern skyscrapers and elegant shopping boulevards.
Vicente Gonzlez Loscertales, secretary-general of the Bureau of International Expositions, the governing body of World Expos, said the Shanghai event has overcome the challenges posed by the global economic downturn.
The fair has achieved dual success in "quantity and quality", as the number of participants has exceeded original plans, he said.
Organizers and participants have staged a splendid show, he added.
The preparations, as seen from the trial runs, are a great success though adjustments on details will still be needed after the real opening of the fair, the secretary-general said.
After several trial runs last week, organizers found better ways to control human traffic. During the Expo's soft opening on April 20, surging crowds caused the temporary closure of several pavilions and paralyzed the security checking system.
"We are fully confident that we will present a successful and unforgettable World's Fair," said Shanghai Vice-Mayor Yang Xiong at Wednesday's press conference.
Yang also said the event would have a "thrifty" opening ceremony, costing much less than the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony. The grand opening of the 2008 Games is estimated to have cost around 680 million yuan ($100 million).
The opening ceremony for Expo 2010 Shanghai will be composed of an indoor ceremony, performances and an outdoor fireworks show on the Huangpu River.
