General News
Future of green technology debuts at Shanghai Expo
By An Baijie
Hostesses practice for the Shanghai World Expo Monday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Some 300 young women will get intensive training to ensure professional service at the expo. Photo: Xinhua
A driverless car, recycled rainfall and a bio-degradable roof made from soybeans are among a host of high-tech innovations that will be introduced at the Shanghai World Expo, showcasing products that use clean energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions, a senior official said Monday.
Wan Gang, the Minister of Science and Technology and also a political advisor, said during the CPPCC session that the Shanghai World Expo would provide a platform for the exhibition of eco-friendly products.
"All rainfall within the main areas of the expo garden can be recycled for daily use," Wan said.
"I heard that the Japan Pavilion was made of a special thin material that can generate electricity on top, while the Switzerland Pavilion is made of soybean fiber that can both generate electricity and be degradable," Wan said. "It sounds novel to me, and we should seize the opportunity to learn the new technologies of the world."
The organizers have explored ways to facilitate access to the exposition by everyone, especially people with disabilities.
Zhang Haidi, a CPPCC member and a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down, told the meeting that a pavilion called "Life and Sunshine" was designed for the handicapped.
"It's the first time in the history of world expos that a customized pavilion has been designed for the disabled," Zhang said.
"The special 'Life and Sunshine' pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo will provide more conveniences for the disabled to feel the warmth and happiness of life."
Meanwhile, the large-scale event has drawn public concern over its cost. Some media reports suggest that the expense could soar to 400 billion yuan ($57 billion), which would make the Shanghai exposition the costliest event of its kind ever.
Han Zheng, the Shanghai mayor, denied the speculation on Sunday during the NPC session. He said the cost of infrastructure construction was about 18 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) and the cost of maintenance would be 10.6 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), both of which would be audited and publicized at the end of the expo.
Han said that the transportation capacity of Shanghai could meet the demand of more than 70 million people expected to visit the Shanghai World Expo during the 184 days it will remain open.
Additional Information
Country: China
Website: http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/business-in-china/100258340-1-future- green-technology-debuts-shanghai.html
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: Email from: MORI, Soya
When: 12/3/2010
