As the dazzling displays of fireworks, interpretive performances and welling nationalist pride of the 2008 Beijing Olympics fade from international memory, another pro-China, six-month event (the largest and most expensive of it’s kind) has just begun this weekend in Shanghai, China (\u4e0a\u6d77 Sh\u00e0ng h\u01cei). The Shanghai World Expo or \u4e2d\u56fd2010\u5e74\u4e0a\u6d77\u4e16\u754c\u535a\u89c8\u4f1a (Zh\u014dnggu\u00f3 \u00c8rl\u00edngy\u012bl\u00edng Ni\u00e1n Sh\u00e0ngh\u01cei Sh\u00ecj\u00ece B\u00f3l\u01cenhu\u00ec) is a chance for Shanghai to steal a little thunder from it’s neighbors-to-the-North, celebrating the the most modern\uff08\u73b0\u4ee3 xi\u00e0n d\u00e0i) and cosmopolitan city of China, as it’s involvement in global trade, finance and culture mark it as one of the 21st century’s “new great world cities”. For \u4e0a\u6d77 it is a long overdue honor, but better late than never.<\/p>\n
Much like in the prelude to the Beijing Olympics, the government has been allocated billions in renovation\/construction funds along with an area larger than 5 square kilometers to hold expo events. They’ll be needing all that floor space considering that an estimated 75-100 million people are expected to attend the event over the six month time-period, including hundreds of dignitaries, politicians, businessmen and moguls of industry. It’s now Shanghai’s turn to shine.<\/p>\n
The ceremony opened with with yet another massive display of fireworks, including LED screens and lazer lights over the Shanghai river (not to mention, indoor performances including the Jackie Chan variety hour).