Shanghai opened its multi-billion dollar World Expo to the public yesterday, showcasing China’s booming economy and resurgent national pride, as well as the latest green technology from 189 countries.
Visitors reported long lines, and occasional angry exchanges about line-jumping, to get into some exhibitions in the enormous Expo site, which is 20 times bigger than the last World Expo held in Spain’s Zaragoza in 2008.
China says it has spent US$4.2 billion — double what it spent at the 2008 Beijing Olympics — to host the world’s largest exhibition. It is the most expensive Expo to date and local media have reported the true cost, including upgrades to the city’s infrastructure, is closer to US$58 billion.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Cosmopolitan Shanghai expects 70 million visitors will attend the Expo — an average of nearly 400,000 per day — though just 5 percent will be foreigners.
Also See: Taipei promotes its friendliness in Shanghai
Also See: Shanghai opens Expo’s doors
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