on 8th April 2010, Mdm. Liao Juhua, the Chinese Consul General in Auckland held a reception in celebration of the 20 Days Countdown of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The full text of Mdm. Liao’s remarks at the reception is as follows:

Distinguished guests, ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the reception in celebration of the 20 days countdown of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. We are delighted to have China Travel Service (New Zealand) Limited, and the New Zealand Association for Promotion of Shanghai World Expo as co-organizers of this event.

“Better City, Better life”, the theme of the Shanghai World Expo is set to bring out the new picture of city life, culturally diversified and economically prosperous, scientifically creative and socially interactive between the urban and rural areas. In the Shanghai World Expo, new ideas, new technologies, new products, new fashions and lifestyles will come altogether from all over the world to inspire us shaping the future and going after the better city and better life. The Shanghai World Expo is a spectacular showcase for China and the world.

The Shanghai World Expo is another world-famous event after the Beijing Olympic Games undertaken by China. It will bring about a few “firsts” in Expo history. Firstly, it is the first Expo being held in a developing country. Secondly, it is the first time that Expo puts its theme on city life. Thirdly, there will be 242 countries and international organizations, and more than 70 million visitors taking part in the Shanghai World Expo, which tops the number of participants of all the previous Expos. Moreover, there are 106 heads of states who have confirmed their attendances, which is unprecedented. Apart from the opening and closing ceremony, there will be so many activities going on during the Expo, such as the China Day, high-level forums, 188 national pavilion days, 39 special days for the international organizations and more than 20,000 cultural entertainments.

The Shanghai World Expo is a platform for promotion of cooperations, understandings and friendship between peoples, between China and the world.

The Shanghai World Expo is a unique opportunity for all countries to demonstrate their civilizations and ideals. The New Zealand pavilion with the theme of "Cities of Nature: Living between Land and Sky" is a window through which, peoples are able to know better this beautiful and friendly country. I am convinced that the New Zealand Pavilion will work wonders.

The Shanghai World Expo is dedicated not only to the people of China but also to the people all over the world. We warmly welcome all New Zealand friends to visit the Expo. China Travel Service (New Zealand) Limited is the exclusive New Zealand Official Ticket Agent for the Expo and the official representative of the National Tourism Administration of China. I am sure the Expo will be very impressive and worth going.

Now, let us wish the Shanghai World Expo a great success. Thank you.