The word on Shanghai’s collective lips for the past few years has been “Expo”. The 2010世博会 (shì bó huì), or Shanghai World Expo, has been the city’s raison d’être since early 2008, and the now-ubiquitous construction sites and blue Haibao effigies are a constant reminder of the event that will turn the world’s eyes onto Shanghai between May and October next year. Seventy million visitors are predicted to visit the Shanghai Expo site. There’s no doubt that it will be a huge event. But what do people living in Shanghai think about the 2010 World Expo? Will they be attending? Is there too much hype? We took to the streets, web forums, and bars of the city to find out.

Raemin, age 25, lives in Pudong and is Shanghainese born and bred. Her response to the Expo is an enthusiastic one: “I will definitely be going to see the Expo next year. Shanghai Expo is like a mini-global village – it will bring the world to us Chinese locals, and show our country to the world. I guess it will be like travelling around the globe. I’m expecting to see tons and tons of interesting and wonderful things, and getting lots of information. Plus, it'll be a huge opportunity for China to communicate with the rest of the world regarding business and culture. It will definitely enhance the city in many ways.”

Raemin intends to visit the Expo at least once, and even hopes to snag a job on site: “I’ll be going to the Expo site a couple times. Actually, I don’t just want to be a visitor – I’d like to get involved too. It's such a huge event for Shanghai and the country. I think for a young person, getting involved in this huge event is the best way to experience it. I’ve applied for jobs there, so hopefully you’ll see me there next year! 

Fellow Shanghai local Frank is equally enthusiastic. He shares Raemin’s views about how the event will boost China’s profile and allow Chinese people to experience what other countries have to offer. In his opinion: “The Expo is a positive thing – and really interesting. It will allow Chinese people to see the whole world without leaving their country, and check out the newest international developments in science and technology. It’s like a doorway to the rest of the world. At the same time, it will teach the rest of the world about China’s economy, culture, and people, and will improve links with other countries. I will definitely be going to see it!”

Some expats, however, aren’t so enthusiastic. Maybe because they don’t share the pride that locals have in the event, they feel that the Expo is an inconvenience. Mark, 28, from Canada, says: “I just want the construction to stop.” While English Roz goes so far as to say that Expo preparations have ruined her time in Shanghai. She complains: “They ought to change the motto to ‘Inconvenient City, Inconvenient Life’. I’ve lived in Shanghai for nearly two years now, and my life has been blighted by construction work right outside my building. Maybe it’s the price you pay for living in such a quickly developing city, but constant drilling can make life unbearable.” So we’re guessing she won’t be going to the Expo? “Sure, I’ll be going,” she admits. “Just to see if two years of sleepless nights have been worth it!”

Other foreigners living in Shanghai fear that the influx of people will make the city even more crowded and chaotic. Andreas says: “I probably won’t be going. I mean, better infrastructure and more money coming in will be great – I just don’t like places where there are big crowds.”

Neil from Australia shared his Expo experiences online: “I am actually looking forward to seeing a great collection of what the world (not just China) has to show off, at the biggest Expo in years. Expo in Brisbane [1988] was the last one I went to and it was okay – small compared to Shanghai’s, but even still, I didn’t see it all. This time, I intend to spend at least a week wandering around, visiting the various sights and exhibits. Given that the average queue time will be at least an hour (based on other Expos) I’d be surprised if I see more than three or four countries per day, and there are 240 exhibits.” 

Will he be heading straight to his homeland’s pavilion? “If I visit the Aussie display, it will just be to see how it compares to the general standard.” The political and economical elements of the Expo haven’t escaped Neil. “The USA’s pavilion (which is currently being funded largely by the Shanghai Government) will be an interesting insight into the effects of the global financial crisis.”

So it seems that opinions are divided on how the Expo will benefit Shanghai, and if the years of preparation will have been worth it. Most Chinese people we spoke to were enthusiastic about the event, which is unsurprising, as it will highlight their city and country on the world stage. Some expats are looking forward to seeing what the Expo has to offer, while others seem underwhelmed. After all, Expos have been happening in Europe and the Americas for centuries, so it’s nothing new for Westerners. But wherever public opinion swings, the bottom line is that Expo is coming. In six months’ time the speculation will end, and we’ll get to see for ourselves what all the fuss is about.

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