SHANGHAI — A proud Shanghai threw open the gates of the 2010 World Expo today, kicking off an event that underscores the Chinese financial hub’s comeback as a major world city after decades of spartan industrialism following the 1949 communist revolution.
Like the 2008 Olympics, the World Expo is showcasing China’s growing economic and geopolitical sway, both for the world and for its own public.
After Friday’s gala fireworks, fountains and laser- light celebration, dignitaries gathered today to declare the Expo open in a much less grandiose ceremony.
“Everything starts at the World Expo and all things come together at the Expo site,” said Jia Qinglin, the Communist Party’s No. 4 ranking leader.
Gates opened to what was expected to be a relatively limited number of ticket holders — all those not holding May 1 tickets were told to stay away.
The Expo is expected to draw 70 million people over six months to pavilions from almost 200 nations designed to reflect the urban sustainability theme of “Better City, Better Life.”
