Introduction

The overarching theme of Shanghai Expo 2010 – Better City, Better Life – divides into five sub-themes :

Blending of Diverse Cultures in the City ;
Economic Prosperity in the City ;
Innovation of Science and Technology in the City ;
Remodelling of Communities in the city ;
Interactions Between Urban and Rural Areas.

The role of the Expo 2010 site is to serve as a model “city of harmony”, a paragon of the harmony “between humankind and nature”, “between past and future” and "among human beings".

City and theme

Expo 2010 Shanghai China should be a great opportunity to explore the full potential of urban life in the 21st century at a significant period in urban evolution. In 2010, fifty-five percent of the world population is actually living in cities.

The prospect of future urban life, a subject of global interest, concerns all nations, developed or less developed, and their people. Being the first World Exposition on the theme of city, Exposition 2010 will attract governments and people from across the world, focusing on the theme "Better City, Better Life." For its 184 days, participants will display urban civilisation to the full extent, exchange their experiences of urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century. They will learn how to create an eco-friendly society and maintain the sustainable development of human beings.

shanghai-oct-09

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will centre on innovation and interaction. Innovation is the soul, while cultural interaction is an important mission of the World Expositions. In the new era, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will contribute to human-centred development, scientific and technological innovation, cultural diversity and win-win cooperation for a better future, thus composing a melody with the key notes of highlighting innovation and interaction in the new century.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will also be a grand international gathering. On one hand, it should attract about 200 nations and international organisations to take part in the exhibition as well as 70 million visitors from home and abroad, ensuring the widest possible participation in the history of the World Expositions. On the other hand, the Expo will put China and Asia in a global perspective to gain the understanding of various countries and peoples. In addition, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will offer a great opportunity for cross-culture dialogues. Before the conclusion of the Exposition, a "Shanghai Declaration" will be issued. This declaration, hopefully a milestone in the history of the World Expositions, will epitomise the insights to be offered by the participants and embody people's ideas for future cooperation and development and extensive common aspirations, thereby leaving a rich legacy of urban development to people throughout the world.

The Chinese Government will go to great lengths to make Expo 2010 Shanghai China a special event that carries on traditions and opens a new vista into the future. So will Europe with more than 50 countries and cities represented.

Haibao is the mascot of World Expo 2010. Its implied meaning in Chinese is "the treasure of the whole world". The Chinese character "ren" (meaning people) is the core idea for its design because it is people who create good life and benefit from it. The blue color represents many elements such as the ocean, the future and technology which are consistent with the characteristics of the host city as well as the theme "Better City, Better Life".

logo_expo The emblem, depicting the image of three people (you, me, him/her) holding hands together, symbolizes the big family of mankind. Inspired by the shape of the Chinese character "shi" (meaning the world), the design conveys the organizers' wish to host an Expo which is of global scale and which showcases the diversified urban cultures of the world.