Shanghai Daily News

The 2010 World Expo won't be an event for Shanghai alone, as it will benefit China and the entire world, said Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of World Expo Coordination, during an interview at the Forum 2006 - 2010 Expo Shanghai, China.

"Shanghai provides a stage for all the participants to showcase, whether rich or poor or from home or abroad," said Zhou. "Just as Wu Jianmin, president of the Bureau of International Exhibitions has said, the Shanghai World Expo should also be beneficial to rural areas in China as well as less developed areas in central and western China."

The direct benefits will come to these regions when they present themselves during the World Expo. Thus, they may be given investment opportunities or other forms of support from the international community.

Meanwhile, foreign countries can get more familiarised with China, the world's most populous country, during the World Expo.

"The indirect and gradual benefits will become more prominent," said Zhou. "As Shanghai enhances its global awareness through the Expo, it will become a hub that can offer development opportunities and expertise to other parts of China."

Zhou compared it to a team of football players, each of whom has a different function.

During the World Expo, Shanghai is the goal scorer, who requires support and coordination from all the other players.

"The success of the goal scorer belongs to the whole team, just like the success of the World Expo belongs to China and the whole world," said Zhou.