The summer has truly arrived in Shanghai with temperatures over 30 degrees every day as well as high humidity. Despite this rather inhospitable weather, visitors continue to visit the Expo area every day, eager to experience everything the Expo has to offer.
Today, the Swedish pavilion welcomed its millionth visitor. It was a 20 year old girl named Wu Guoying who was happy to receive a diploma and a few Swedish gifts from Christine Engdahl who is the general manager at the Swedish pavilion.
- This is the first time I visit the Expo and the Swedish Pavilion, and I was very surprised and pleased with this honor and these great gifts, says Wu Guoying.
Since the Expo opened on May 1st, there has been around 17 million visitors in the area. The Swedish pavilion has now had over one million visitors since its inauguration, which gives an average of about 15.000 visitors per day.
- It is fantastic that we have so many visitors to our pavilion. I think it shows that we have something that reaches out to the Chinese population and makes them curious about Sweden and who we are, says Christine Engdahl.
The Expo continues until October 31st and is the largest marketing effort ever that Sweden has done abroad. The Swedish theme of the exhibition is "Spirit of Innovation" and more than 200 Swedish companies recognize themselves in the theme and sponsor the Swedish participation in different ways.
The Swedish committee for Expo 2010 in Shanghai is a collaboration between the government and the industry in which each contribute 70 million SEK. The Swedish theme for World Expo is “Spirit of Innovation” and refers to that Sweden is ranked as one of the most innovative countries in the world.
The overall theme of the World Expo is “Better City - Better Life” and refers to population growth in cities, not only in China, but throughout the world.
Cecilia Helland