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Hau to visit China to finalize deal on World Expo 2010

"The itinerary will be worked out after we receive a formal letter of invitation from the event organizers. " — Hau Lung-bin, Taipei mayor

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin (郝龍斌) will travel to China to sign an agreement on participating at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo to showcase city’s achievements in wireless broadband development and recycling.

Hau said it would mark the first time the nation is offered an opportunity to operate a pavilion at a world exposition since it lost its UN seat in 1971.

Hau said the city government had received confirmation that its application had been approved, adding that he would travel to Shanghai to finalize the deal and inspect the exhibition site.

“The itinerary will be worked out after we receive a formal letter of invitation from the event organizers,” Hau said, adding that it was too early to give an exact date for his visit.

If he makes the trip as planned, Hau would become the first mayor of Taipei to visit China while in office.

Hau said the city would seek financial aid from the central government and the private sector to realize its plan of showcasing its wireless broadband and recycling accomplishments at the Shanghai World Expo, which will be held on both banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010.

The exposition will be divided into four main areas: national pavilions, city pavilions, thematic pavilions and the “Best Practice” area.

Asked whether Taipei would be listed as a Chinese city at the event or incorporated in China’s national pavilion, Hau said only that the city would be showcased in the “Best Practice” area.

If China runs a Taiwan pavilion at the exhibition, it will have nothing to do with the Taipei city government, he said.

More than 200 countries and international organizations are expected to take part in the Shanghai World Expo, Hau said.

Taipei’s participation at the World Expo will promote its international image and profile, while continuing the capital’s policy of pursuing city-to-city diplomacy.
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