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Taiwan Plans Return to World Expo After 40-year Hiatus
2009. 18 June
(news.cens.com) The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has decided to end Taiwan`s 40-year absence from the World Expo (it last participated in the Osaka World Expo in 1970) by organizing a "Taiwan Pavilion" for next year`s Shanghai World Expo, scheduled for May 1 to Oct. 31.
TAITRA chairman Wang Chi-kang reports that Shanghai Expo officials expressed their welcome to Taiwan during a visit to TAITRA last September, and that TAITRA discussed the matter with the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), National Security Bureau (NSB), and Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) in February this year.
The conclusion was that the upcoming fair presents a rare chance for Taiwan to boost its global exposure and burnish its international image, as well as to show off its economic strength and promote trade. TAITRA accordingly accepted the official invitation from the Paris-based International Exhibition Bureau, which handles the expo.
The theme of Expo 2010 is "Better City, Better Life," representing the common aspiration of mankind for better urban life. By hosting the event, Shanghai hopes to create a lasting example of sustainable and harmonious urban living. More than 190 countries and 50 international organizations are expected to participate.
More than 20,000 events-cultural and artistic performances, as well as amusement activities-will reportedly be held at 33-35 venues during the 184-day expo, both inside and outside the fairgrounds.
Wang Chih-kang estimates that the Taiwan Pavilion will cost about NT$1 billion (US$30.3 million at NT$33:US$1), which TAITRA hopes to raise from the local business community. TAITRA plans to invite five to 10 leading enterprises to serve as sponsors, in return for which they will be allowed to use the Taiwan Pavilion`s logo in marketing their products around the world.
Taipei City Also to Attend
The Taipei City Government announced back in June 2008 that it had decided to participate in the Shanghai Expo with a Taipei City Pavilion, which will highlight the city`s wireless Internet environment and its waste recycling program, which it terms a "green miracle." The Taipei Pavilion will cost an estimated NT$300 million (US$9.09 million); the funds will reportedly be supplied by the Hon Hai Group, a Taiwanese conglomerate that is a world-leading electronics manufacturer.
The only Taiwanese enterprise that has been invited to set up its own pavilion at the fair (in total, only 16 enterprises have been invited to do so) is the Aurora Group, a top local maker of OA and telecom devices. Ground for the pavilion has already been broken, and its hardware and software layout are to be completed in September of October this year.
Shanghai Expo will cover an area of 5.28 square kilometers and is expected to be the largest ever of its kind. It is predicted to draw more than 70 million visitors, perhaps 3.5 million of them coming from Taiwan.
The Taiwan Pavilion, which will showcase eco-friendly products, high-tech devices, cultural and artistic performances, and delicious Chinese cuisine, will be located in the easiest part of the fairgrounds to get to, across the Huangpu River from the renowned Bund. "The Taiwan Pavilion will be next to the China Pavilion, which will be the expo`s top attraction," Wang comments. "It will be in Area A, which is reserved for Asian countries. Neighboring pavilions will be built by Nepal, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Japan."
Political observers point out that Taiwan has long been identified as "Chinese Taipei" in major international organizations, conferences, and exhibitions, so the use of the name "Taiwan" at the Shanghai Expo represents a breakthrough in relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.
"Shanghai Expo offers the best possible chance for our enterprises to market their products and services as well as to upgrade their image, since tens of millions of people from all over the world will visit the event," Wang Chih-kang concludes.
(by Judy Li)
Source:http://news.cens.com