First Session of International Expo Organizing Committee holds in Beijing

The first session of 2006 China Shenyang International Horticulture Expo Organizing Committee was held in Beijing Diaoyutai State Guests Hotel on the afternoon of 12 March. Leaders from sponsors and organizers gather together to discuss major issues in order to hold the Expo to be the world first-class horticulture Expo and make it have profound influence in the history of international horticulture. Present at the meeting were Bo Xilai, Minister of the Ministry of Commerce of PRC, Wan Jifei, Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Chen Xiaoli, Chief planner from Ministry of Construction of PRC, Zhao Guanghua, vice-chairman of China Flowers Association and leaders from ministries and committees concerned, and leaders from provincial and municipal level including Zhang Wenyue, governor of Liaoning Province, Chen Zhenggao, Mayor of Shenyang.

Chen Zhenggao gave an account of the general planning, preparation work and overall features, etc. of the Expo in the meeting. He emphasized again with full confidence that the world offers Shenyang an opportunity; Shenyang must be able to pay back a wonder. Shenyang International Horticulture Expo will certainly become a wonder flower in the history of international horticulture. The urban construction level and famousness must be further advanced to expedite the overall revitalization of the old industrial base.

Yang Yazhou, Mayor assistant elaborated the planning and construction situation of the Expo and gave explanation to the collection of the theme, logo and mascot and poster of the Expo.

“ The preparation work of the Expo made good progress in short time, which is beyond expectation and encouraging. We are confident to hold this Expo successfully. ” Leaders from each sponsor gave positive words to the preparation work. They suggested that that efforts be exerted to disseminate the Expo and colorful and interesting activities which can attract more participant be arranged and other cities ' success story be taken for reference. All sponsors expressed that they would exert efforts and cooperate with each other to make a good preparation.

The general planning of the international Expo has been reviewed and approved in the conference. A resolution of the first session of the International Expo Organizing Committee was passed to confirm the theme, logo, mascot, etc of the Expo.

Zhang Wenyue said in his speech that the successful organization of the Shenyang Expo would be helpful to the development and integration of tourism resources in Liaoning province; it can also create good environment for the revitalization of the old industrial base of Liaoning and accelerate the building of a harmonious socialism society. The preparation of the Expo progresses smoothly, which reflects the result of hi-speed development of Shenyang as well as the spiritual style and features of leaders and common people. He emphasized that people-oriented principle must be respected in the preparation work and scientific concept of development must be carefully carried out. In accordance with the theme of “harmonious coexistence of human and nature” , we should save resources to the maximum and bring the function of the main exhibition zones and supplementary facilities into full plan and complete the construction of the exhibition gardens with good quality and in time.

In his speech, Bo Xilai summed up the Shenyang ' s organization of International Horticulture Expo to be a good event which happens under favorable climatic, geographical and human conditions. He said that Shenyang is the most typical old industrial base. The successful application for holding the Expo itself means great achievements have been made by Shenyang related to its environment construction. This is the way to new industrialization. The International Expo has a close relationship with people's life, which embodies people-oriented principle. Shenyang holds the Expo when the revitalization progress is in the ascendant to tell the all circles of the society that the thought of the revitalization of the northeast industrial base is new and creative, which incorporates the concept of environment into the revitalization work. Looking back his working days in Liaoning, Bo Xilai said that Shenyang Municipal Committee and Municipal Government is a capable working group with combat effectiveness and strength. The work is well organized and promoted.

In recent years, great changes have taken place in Shenyang concerning its urban environment, appearance, infrastructure construction and reception capacity. We saw qualitative promotion. We are confident that Shenyang is capable of holding the Expo. Bo Xilai expressed that the Ministry of Commerce and other sponsors would exert efforts and cooperate to make a good preparation of the Expo and do a real thing for the revitalization of the old industrial base. Finally, Bo Xilai said that the organization of the international Expo by Shenyang accords with the idea of people-oriented, building harmonious society and execution of scientific concept of development, this is good climatic condition; the revitalization of northeast industrial base continually progressed, this is favorable geographical condition; People in Shenyang are high-spirited and vigorous to build their home, this is the human condition. It is believed that the construction of the international Expo can surely promote the vitality of the city.

Directors from ministries and committees concerned such as the Ministry of Commerce of PRC and Ministry of Construction, relevant principals from China Flowers Association and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and leaders from departments related at provincial and municipal level were present at the meeting.