Special Report: 2010 Shanghai Expo Countdown |
Wednesday is the 150 day countdown to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Organizers marked this day with a number of events.
Norway's national pavilion concluded structural construction Wednesday. Following Norwegian traditions, the pavilion used wood for the main pillars to support the building. Architects wanted to convey the spirit of nature, by designs which symbolize forests, sea and ice in Norway.
An estimated 100 million tourists will visit next year's World Expo. One third are expected to take the ferry service to enter the Expo. Shanghai's maritime security departments have been stepping up the necessary procedures to ensure safety.
"We'll have about 40 to 50 patrol ships standing-by during that period. If anyone falls into the water, rescuers can arrive in less than 5 minutes."
In San Francisco, expo authorities signed contracts with agencies in America, officially granting them permission to sell tickets in the U.S. for the expo in Shanghai.
And in Europe, Chinese and European artists exchanged cultural performances including Peking opera and classic ballet, as part of the expo's warming-up activities.
Editor: Zhang Ning | Source: CCTV.com