Comments nationwide reflect the idea that besides creating records, the Expo will set an example for development

Comment by Wu Renshou on the Eastday.com

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo is an unprecedented event.

First, it's the first time that a developing country is hosting a World Expo in its 159-year history. Despite that a record number of countries are taking part in event.

Second, the World Expo has always inspired people across the world, and generated new ideas, technologies and products about what city life would be in future. The Shanghai Expo is expected to do the same.

Third, the Shanghai Expo carries special hope for people battered by the global economic downturn.

And finally, the Expo theme of "Better City, Better Life" will help more than half of the world's 6.5 billion people, who incidentally live in cities, to deal with their problems.

The other important factor is the host country, China. After 30 years of miraculous economic growth and social development, China has become stronger, more important and, as the Expo shows, more attractive to foreigners.

Comment by Chen Tingting of China News Service

While enjoying the beautiful scenes, honorable guests to the Shanghai World Expo can be excused for missing some details. For example, the benches and chairs for visitors - from ordinary tourists to heads of state - are made from recycled milk cartons. The menu cards, pamphlets and bags come from recycled paper.

The past eight years have seen the organizers turn thrift into art, not to save money but to save precious natural resources. Instead of large-scale demolitions and constructions, the organizers made use of many of the buildings that stood on the earmarked site to highlight the image of a progressing and eco-friendly China.

The tables in the media centre are second-hand; they were first used at the Olympics football games in Shanghai about two years ago.

All this would not have been possible without the help of Shanghai residents, who contributed 113 tons of milk cartons for the benches and chairs.

Organizers say that luxurious plans were abandoned in favor of thrift, but without compromising either quality or elegance.

Sustainable development has been the guiding principle of the Expo's preparation. No wonder that some of the newly constructed buildings will be used by residents after the Expo.

Let's hope the Shanghai World Expo can promote the virtue of thrift and set a good example for urbanization and overall economic development.

Comment by Yi Yangang of Xinhua Daily Telegraph

The government will strive to make life better not only for people in Shanghai or China's cities, but also rural areas. The Shanghai Expo is a big step toward achieving that goal, the goal of seeing everyone living happily and with dignity.

China has undertaking an unprecedented urbanization drive both in terms of scale and speed. As a byproduct of urbanization, the "urban disease" has become a worry for governments across the world. We could deal with problems, such as environmental pollution, traffic jams and exorbitant housing prices through technological progress, better planning and by changing our development model. But the widening gap between the rich and the poor can be bridged only if proper measures are taken to ensure fairness and justice to all.

As a global event, the Expo is a platform for communication as well as a showcase for human material and spiritual achievements. "Better City, Better Life", the theme of the Expo, represents the aspiration of all mankind.

Though it draws on other countries' experiences, China's urbanization drive can contribute a lot to the world. The Expo is an opportunity to showcase China's innovative capacity and can leave valuable lessons for the country, as well as the world.

Comment by Shi Zhe in Southern Weekend

The Shanghai Expo has already created a couple of records. It will see the largest number of volunteers and participating countries. We expect Shanghai to leave a deeper impression on the world, too.

It is well known that technology and new life have been the theme of World Expos. An Expo does not only record contemporary society, but also creates better prospects for people. The more than 150-year-old of World Expo history shows that intensive innovations rather than duplication of reality make history.

Steam engine, reinforced concrete, direct-current motor, wireless telegraph, assembly line, Apollo spacecraft and many more products that have changed human life were first showcased at an Expo.

Innovation is crucial to China, too. During the early stage of reform and opening up, some people were afraid of this word. But now this fear has been replaced by eager pursuit.

Hence, we hope the Shanghai Expo would leave an innovative trail in the history of World Expo.