This is a follow-up article to Shanghai World Expo 2010, Will They Really Come?
Imagine everybody in Shanghai; all 20 million of them. Do you have a picture? Multiply that by 3…and a half. That’s the number of visitors China expects to visit Shanghai for the 2010 World Expo. This year’s fair is BIG. It draws the attention of China’s economy and the pockets of executives all over the world. The Expo’s theme, “Better City, Better Life”, exemplifies Shanghai’s newly attained 21st century status as having a BIG, worldly economical and cultural presence.
Some might argue that the number of people at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics were a testament and precursor to the Shanghai Expo. The streets and stands weren’t completely filled in Beijing, but that’s exactly what the Chinese government wanted; keep strict filters on tourists who entered Beijing. Search for potential protester–even at the risk of racial discrimination.
Anti-China sentiments were forbidden (not that anyone’s stupid enough to do such a thing around Tienanmen Square). When some believed it was a spectacular failure due to poor attendance, truly, it was a calculated leap forward from China’s 20th century oppression. “They are back.” was the feeling after the rain-free, unmatched, awe-inspiring opening and closing ceremonies.
Why rain-free? Well since this blog talks about social media, let’s talk about seeding. “Cloud-seeding” is a process that Chinese-meteorologist invented to artificially force clouds and make rain. Pre-opening and closing ceremonies, the Chinese government capitalized on this technology to clear the skies. Sure, during the actual Olympic games, rain was induced, but the priority wasn’t to accommodate tourists, it was the relentless effort to televise a dazzling, over-the-top representation of their return to past glory. And it was a downright success. Let’s review. Priority: seeding clouds with silver iodide and diatomite. Not priority: seeding auditoriums with people.
Cloud-seeding rockets used for emergency engine assistance
The Shanghai Expo is the complete opposite. For 184 days, film won’t be reeling, but money will be. For once, China will be accommodating. Why? Well, often called “The Great Exposition” throughout its 160 year history, it has never been “Greater”; more than 70 million tourists are expected to attend between May 1st and Halloween. In preparation, Shanghai’s Hongqaio International Airport has opened its doors to “Terminal 2″–part of a major overhaul in traffic system upgrades throughout the city. Granted a 15.3 billion yuan government contract, the airport has increased the number of yearly traffic from 25 million to an expected 40 million in 2010.
This new terminal is BIG, covering 250,000 square meters; the furthest gate taking over twenty minutes to walk to (i.e. don’t forget pack your Heelys/back brace). Even the subway line 2 has been extended and now connects with this terminal, both of which opened for public use on March 16th. Officials say that even with the massive upgrades to the airport coupled with the only decade-new Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Expo’s expected 800,000 visitors per day will push the limits of the city’s entire transportation system (i.e. start brown nosing your boss, because you’ll be late for work. a lot.).
Terminal 2 - Large and in charge, ready to accommodate!
Shanghai will be bustling for 6 months (understatement of the year) and big business is prepared to capitalize. Touchmedia has embedded more than 10,000 taxis with touch screen media devices. Situated behind the front passenger seat (where people tend to sit, not by mistake, furthest from the driver), clients will be able to find their destinations on the interactive map. One touch and taxi drivers will know where to go. Expo, “OK!”, Xin Tian Di “Yes!”, Nudie KTV “No problem!”. This is what the cabbies are being trained to say in English. All 100,000 of them. “Hello!”, “Thank you!”, etc. Smile, don’t touch your nose, etc.
For the drivers who have behaved the past two years (no accidents or customer complaints), they will roll around in 4,000 brand new, upgraded and BIGGER Volkswagens and 350 Buick Hybrids (gotta look green) decked out in white and gold paint and complete with Expo advertisement in Haibao’s embrace (the Expo mascot). Specifically servicing the Expo area, these rides will be equipped with English-speaking interpreters (analog intercoms) to help the digitally-challenged internationals. There’s also a new taxi driver dress code! Remember the last driver who hawked a loogie, rolled down his window and spit? You have a picture of that guy? Imagine him wearing a white collared shirt, wrapped in a blue tie and tucked into a blue suit. “No problem!” come May 1st, 2010. (Cue that damn Touchmedia music)
Touchmedia's racist POV of the 2010 Expo
Believe it or not, in the millennium-and-a-half history of the World Expo, this is China’s first recognized exposition. To summarize, will they come? Yes. In tens of millions. Because this is a BIG deal requiring BIG airports, BIG change and one BIG budget.
Related articles from around the web.
- Shanghai forecasts largest-ever World’s Fair (msnbc.msn.com)
- Shanghai Expo unveils HaiBao robot event escort (dvice.com)
- Shanghai World Expo threatened by delays (telegraph.co.uk)
- US looks to Shanghai Expo to help ease distrust (sfgate.com)
- China’s Social Media Buzz on Shanghai Expo (socialmediatoday.com)
- US Looks to Shanghai Expo to Help Ease Distrust (abcnews.go.com)
- Shanghai gets ready for biggest world’s fair (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Shanghai Prepares For Expo 2010 (slideshare.net)
- NYSE Euronext Welcomes the USA National Pavilion – 2010 Shanghai World Expo to the NYSE (eon.businesswire.com)
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Interesting commentary on the world expo. It will be very interesting to see how this event pans out in comparison to the grand ceremonies and preparation that Beijing had for the Olympics. Without the media scrutiny, I would imagine that the government would actually put less money into the event. However, with 184 days of potential customers coming in and out of Shanghai, there is plenty of opportunity and money to be made. Additionally, I would imagine that building is less restrictive in Shanghai as it is in Beijing since anything that happens in Beijing still needs to be aligned with the cultural norms and tradition of the capital city. Shanghai, on the other hand, is the rising economy of China – more open to modern and liberal ideas than Beijing. Should be fun to see it all unfold!
You know, not once did the thought that a capital city would have an affect on the national scope of things. You clearly have a great point; especially in a country as passionate as this one. I like your insight, John! Will you be attending the Expo this year?
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Bigger Budget, Better Life http://bit.ly/cqSRpd
March 31, 2010