I. China is ready. Shanghai is ready.

The unprecedentedly large passenger flows might be a challenge for the upcoming World Expo, but China is confident of holding a "successful, wonderful and impressive World Expo". After nearly eight years of preparation and six rounds of trial operation, Shanghai is ready for the 184-day World Exposition which opens on May 1.

With the opening of the Expo in only two days, organizers were stepping up efforts to iron out problems that emerged from the previous trial runs, including visitor complaints about the crowdedness, expensive food and paralyzed booking machines.

Problems exposed during the six trial runs of the Expo, between April 20 and April 26, had been dealt with seriously and services improved, said Yang Xiong, member of the Shanghai World Expo organizing committee.

More volunteers and public facilities, including chairs, wheel chairs and garbage cans, were added in the Expo Park, while 88 temporary food sale booths were planned. Food prices at the Expo Park saw a decline after organizers working to cut sellers' operating costs and enhancing price monitoring, according to Yang. "We examined facilities, improved systems, trained staff and improved services thanks to the trial rounds," he said.

Since there will be a larger number of visitors over a longer period of time in a vast site, security is the top priority for the Shanghai government and armed police will be deployed to maintain order when necessary. An increasing number of police wagons are patrolling downtown areas. Tube stations are conducting more baggage checks and guards have been stationed on all buses of the 42 Expo routes and at thousands of bus stops. The municipality has employed thousands of guards for the expo site and visitors will have to pass through airport-style safety check before getting being allowed to enter the park.

In order to ensure the food safety a scientific and effective supervision system covering food supply, transportation, storage and service has been set up. All food must be checked before being sent into the Expo zone and restaurants around the Expo zone will also be checked. All the food suppliers for the Expo were chosen after public bidding, strict evaluation and intensive food safety training, according to the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration. Three quick testing laboratories have been established inside the expo site to test food samples.

Shanghai health authorities have made a thorough plan for medical service for expo visitors and staff. Each of the five sections of the expo site has a medical station. Each is equipped with one medical patrol vehicle, ambulances, first-aid facilities and medicine for common diseases. Eight hospitals near the expo site have been designated as medical service providers with 33 clinics also supporting. Experienced doctors and nurses have been selected to work at the expo site and several exercises were held before the trial rounds to have the medical staff prepared for emergencies.

Secretary-general of the Bureau of International Exposition Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales noted, when the organizing work began eight years ago "we knew we had to face challenges at an unexpected scale with the largest number of visitors and the largest number of participants. However when the Shanghai World Expo opens its door to the world in just two days, "visitors will see that this challenge of quantity and quality had been very successfully met", he remarked.

II. The importance of Shanghai World Expo

The World Expo has always been an opportunity to showcase the mankind's great achievements and diverse cultures. This time, it has even more significance for the world, for China and the Netherlands.

Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr. ZHANG Jun said in his speech when he and Minister Maria van der Hoeven jointly launched the Expo website of the Netherlands that, the Expo will be conducive in the rebuilding of confidence for the whole world which is still faced with the aftermath of the financial crisis. It will also provide more opportunities for countries worldwide to share views, experiments and achievements in green economy so as to promote sustainable development.

He noted that the Expo is also important for China. It is the first time that the World Expo is to be held in a developing country. China is at a critical juncture in its development. He firmly believes that the Shanghai World Expo will inject new impetus in China's transformation of economic structure and growth pattern and further promote the sustainable development. Meanwhile the Expo will also offer a good opportunity for foreign friends to know China better, understand China better, so as to promote cooperation.

Mr. Zhang found that the Expo is of importance for the Netherlands as well. The Netherlands plays a key role in promoting world economy and social development and enjoys high reputation in scientific innovations which will all be highlighted at the Expo. He also believes that the Expo will enhance the bilateral relations

Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende received interviews from major Chinese media recently. He remarked that the Expo is worldwide beneficial, not only does it offer a good opportunity for people to meet and learn from each other, it also focuses on an important issue of how to improve the quality of living of people. Besides, it contributes to strengthening relations between the Netherlands and China which the Netherlands treasures very much.

The Shanghai World Expo, to be held for the first time in a developing country, will run from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010. The six-month event, with the theme "Better City, Better Life" is expected to attract 70 million visitors to see exhibits from 189 countries and 57 international organizations (according to the latest statistics).