China has a population of 1.3 billion and covers an area of 9.6 million km², making it the world’s most populous and third-largest country. Although it is still classed as a newly industrialised country, it has the fourth-largest economy in the world, ahead of France and the UK. The pragmatism of the Chinese government in a flexible regime known as “socialism with Chinese characteristics” is resulting in rapid economic growth.

Approximately 36 per cent of the Chinese population live in towns and cities, which is lower than the worldwide average (an estimated 55 per cent in 2010). However, China has over 170 cities with a population of 1 million or more, and seven cities with over 10 million inhabitants.

One of the factors that led to the incredibly rapid growth of Shanghai was its location at the delta of the Yangtze River, the longest and busiest river in China. Shanghai now has the world’s third-largest harbour and China’s most important stock exchange. The Transrapid rail link between the international airport and the district of Pudong is the only commercially used maglev train connection in the world.

Shanghai’s Pudong district on the banks of the Huangpu River, with the city’s main landmark, the Pearl Tower Shanghai, a city of superlatives, is playing a pioneering role in China’s development. Its name translates as “city above the sea”, and with over 18 million inhabitants it’s one of the ten largest cities in the world. Shanghai is today the largest and most important centre of industry in China, but in the middle of the last century it was still a sleepy fishing village.

Major improvements will be made to Shanghai’s infrastructure in the run-up to EXPO 2010. Six new light railway lines with 200 new stops will be opened, the expansion of the road network is continuing, around 400 hotels will be renovated and a further 300 are to be built.

Lasting from May 1st to Oct 31st 2010, the Shanghai World Expo will be the biggest event in its history, with 192 countries and 50 International organizations having confirmed participation. 70 million visitors are expected from both inland and abroad to attend this world event. More than 20,000 cultural shows will be held during the Expo.

Themed Better City, Better Life, the 2010 World Expo Shanghai conveys a common wish of mankind for a better future and better city life. This is a unique opportunity for you to come to Shanghai and enjoy all the Discoveries and Excitement that the World Expo will bring along. This is your chance to experience unforgettable moments and go back home with wonderful memories!

The EXPO 2010 Universal World Exhibition, from 1 May to 31 October 2010, will take place on a 5.28 km² site spread across both sides of the Huangpu River in the gigantic metropolis that is Shanghai.

China is the second Asian country, after Japan (EXPO 2005 in Aichi), to stage a world exhibition in the 21st century.

Skyline of modern Shanghai – host of EXPO 2010 Based on the country’s size and its self-image, the People’s Republic of China is expecting the largest world fair ever, with 70 million visitors and at least 240 participants. That participant figure has already been achieved – with over 240 countries (including Germany and its neighbours) and international organisations such as the Red Cross and the United Nations now signed up.

Even though most of the visitors are expected to come from China, an international opinion research institute commissioned by the EXPO organisers has found that approximately five per cent of the guests are likely to come from abroad. That would equal 3.5 million people.

The organisers of EXPO 2010 Shanghai have chosen “Better City, Better Life” as the theme of the event. As well as reflecting people’s wish for a better life in the cities of the future, the slogan is intended as a call for strategies for sustainable, integrated urban development. While only two per cent of the global population lived in cities in the year 1800, the figure has risen to over 50 per cent today and is forecast to increase.

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