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   Many pavilions provide visitors with propaganda information － a heaven for investment or tourism, but they also leak out important national information if we pay attention to tiny details.

   This page sets up a virility clash  － truth vs. China & Taiwan.  

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   Jump to :  China Pavilion   Taiwan Pavilion   comments Shanghai expo 2010
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    China Pavilion               

      <Washington Post> (USA) stated "Everything about the Shanghai jamboree is ...  the China Pavilion".

(1)   Ugly Chinese

       The EXPO 2010 is a larger version of China Pavilion, because estimated 97%.visitors are mainland Chinese.

       Apple Daily News of HK (was not permitted to report EXPO. at the very beginning)  reported with caption " Ugly Chinese at  Shanghai EXPO all  went through our eyes"  that Chinese parents put 10 years old "giant baby" in baby car, healthy adults sit in handicap wheel chairs, so as to enter EXPO from "Green Way" (express path).  

       Moreover, graffiti and signatures at Australia Pavilion (pic below), visitors rough on sheep statue in Holland Pavilion, Unruly Chinese visitors hurling  'Nazi' to insult German pavilion,   queue jumping,  elders way becoming  "royal way"., trash chaos everywhere ( particularly in entrance gates after opening ) ......

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Lots of chaos at Expo. China   － big kids in baby cars, healthy adults in handicap wheel chairs, to jump the queue, etc.   pic. above : Chinese parents let their kids go cross red-line for  touching Spain Pavilion's "giant baby", a digital statue symbolizing a bright future. 　 　 Uncivilized graffiti (signatures) on Australia Pavilion, some calligraphic writings are elegant, some others are elementary-school type	uncivilized graffiti (signatures) at Australia Pavilion, EXPO. 2010	ShanghaiExpo2010	★ ps: My uploading file was again blocked 7  21 '10 (last several days) 　 ★ My computer was attacked by pro hackers after uploading this web-page. July  '10 　 ★	2010expo

  10 years old "giant baby" in baby car for jumping the queue.

details ref Apply Daily News of HK. , 6.'01

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(2) Upside down, Inside out

       1. Upside Down

       The China Pavilion of 2010 looks like a huge top-heavy inverted pyramid, however, the big pie of China's social wealth has not been 'distributed' well , 1% of Chinese household owns 41-42% of this nation's wealth,  therefore, China's  image should be a pyramid -  small number of rich people at the apex, and huge number of bottom people hate their status on its base. (China is an economic giant, but a dwarf in some other fields, so in here decode it in this way ) 

       2. Inside Out

       The so called "Crown of the East" distorts traditional, typical Chinese-culture architecture :

       On the one hand, they dramatically increase huge number of "dougong" or brackets ( traditional wooden beams. －  actually, they are not wooden because of tech. problems unsolved), layer upon layers. 

       On the other hand,  Chinese Pavilion cancels and leaves blank the traditional Chinese-culture roof .

       Although China calls this architecture "Embodiment of Chinese Culture"ps1 , but  there's no "Chinese culture" roof out there, and it looks dominant, loud, arrogant ( bit  aggressive, arbitrary), not very Confucianism, or not very traditional Chinese cultural.    Traditional Chinese architectures usually are not super-sized as western churches.

       <People's Daily> online stated  (4 25, 2010) China Pavilion reflects Chinese golden philosophy "Harmony between human and sky/God", This weirdo Chinese house seems "too harmonious"  －  with "roof" wide opened ... is welcoming a peeping-Tom from the sky??

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	(pic. left) Another inverted pyramid  －  Canada Pavilion at EXPO '67.	expo
(pic. right)  The comparative huge China Pavilion looks dominant, loud, arrogant ( bit aggressive), not very Confucianism & Chinese spirit, ......
Dr. Sun (National Father) Memorial Hall in Taiwan dramatically enlarges Chinese-culture roof, but cancels brackets, to show elegant, low-key  and mild style.	Crown of Chinese emperor usually has a long "roof" on the top. Its slanted form reminds emperor of being nice to all the people.		Taiwan government's tour-guide for int'l tourists. 　 Mr. Teapot opens his cover.  a good image ?

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Expo
Traditional Chinese roof is low and mild (some hid in woods) to  reflect  golden philosophy of Chinese culture, "harmony between human and sky", and never made super-sized architectures or roofs of the west  ―   like swords pointing to the sky. Ancient Chinese felt sharp-shaped roofs deliver the hidden message "human can fight against sky & conquer nature".
	left pic.: San Fransico TransAmerica Pyramid

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ps1: <Beijing Review>, 5.11.2010;  <expo2010.cn>: spirit and disposition of Chinese culture.

ps: The direct (word for word) translation of Chinese golden philosophy "Harmony between human and sky/God",  is "merging human into sky/god to be one".

Following this philosophy,  traditional Chinese roof usually is low & mild,  on the contrary,  many Western roofs are sharp-shaped like a sword pointing to the sky, showing strength and power.  

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(3) Steal or similar ?

       Many world media reported China Pavilion is suspected to plagiarize some architectures/ideas appeared before  (i.e., 1. Koumyouji (光明) temple by Japanese architect Ando Tadao (安藤忠雄) done at 2000,      2.  part of Japan Pavilion in EXPO 1992, Spain,      3.  structure of wooden architecture concept by Japanese  Shin  Takamatsu (高松伸) in 2006 ).  

       Facing US reporter's finger-points, China was unhappy about that, and refuted  it's just a similar form, not a steal or crib.

      Some visitor at EXPO'67 called  Canada Pavilion as an unforgettable inverted pyramid,  because "No one had ever seen anything like it."

      No matter how many symbolic meanings China gives to his building, China Pavilion fails to impress the whole world as an unexpected , very  creative and original masterpiece.  

      A famous EXPO slogan is "Everything begins with EXPO".  China venue seems not begin with EXPO 2010.

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(4)  China creativity vs. strategy

      <The Times> of UK describes EXPO as a great big virility contest between nations.
      <The Straits times > of Singapore states Expo lets China showcases design and cultural diplomacy.

      How is China's design and cultural creativity ?

      No matter China Pavilions at EXPO in recent 30 years or Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony, China always applied ancient China's icons ( i.e., Emperor crown), Why?

       (1)  to strongly impressing world visitors, or to make a Chinese image of Western imagination.  

       (2)  the image "crown"  reflects the Chinese people's some deeply rooted senses : awareness and fear of the emperor authoritarian hierarchy.

       (3)  using the "crown" (King in the East) to arouse Chinese national pride (collective patriotism) and make Chinese a bow to emperor's might and power.  

       (4)  "Oriental Crown" is balanced antithesis, and strict-order structured, for Communist tyranny likes the stability and harmony.

       (5)  China is afraid of "speaking English" (Chn. can't beat Western countries by "English terms"), so they insist on "speaking Chinese".  － this usually leads to abuse Chinese icons without sharp wits .
               Western architects designing <Bird's Nest> and <National Centre for the Performing Arts> do not  imprison their thoughts within the circle  "speaking Chinese" (looks like a Chinese stuff), so they better applied Chinese elements.   

       (6)  Some researches got conclusion : reativity cannot grow up in an autocratic or absolute-power system. 

       (7)  This means dead ancient Chinese outwit modern Chinese.   Does Italy Pavilion use Roman Empire stuffs to impress visitors?   At Expo.  Shanghai, almost all Pavilions using ancient icons are developing nations or countries behind. 

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(5)   a false & untruly China !?

       Shanghai Expo. denied some news reports concerning accidental injuries and death caused by distributing Korean band tickets.

       In summer, 2010, a book <World EXPO and Art> written by top ranking officer of Shanghai and college professor,  mentions China Pavilion at the EXPO Japan was very crowded.    China's largest official media, People's Daily online, also reported about the same thing (see pic. below).

      Are these facts?    

China's personality is lousy if evidences speak China's No.1 official news is mot honest.

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(6) Phony symbol

       According to China's official definition in English,  China Pavilion is "Oriental Crown, Splendid China, Ample Barn, Rich People".

       However, In official definition in Chinese language, "Ample Barn" is replaced by "a Barn for the world".  Does it hint "China is the world"?  (   Chinese meaning of "China" is "center of the world")   or China wants to boost Chinese national pride by language tricks.

       Besides, another definition, "Rich People" is false or impropriate too, according to <Business Week> (2010), there's very small percentage of rich people in China, and a big rich-poor gap out there.   Some Russian magazine even called China a poor country.

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(7) Political show  －  think big, not think great

       China's official definition to "Crown of the East" is quite political, and self center,  this is not as great as Atomium Pavilion's symbolization －  world peace,  fraternity, humanitarianism vs. science & high tech.,

       Another huge inverted pyramid,  Canada Pavilion '67. simply symbolizes their hospitality  －   A "gathering (or meeting) place", significant reminder of Canada's welcoming role as host to millions of visitors from every part of the world.

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ps : TIME magazine (June 5, 2010) : The jaunty blue expo mascot that bears a uncanny -  some might say deliberate resemblance to Gumby 
        (a cartoon character created by an American cartoonist).

★  Highest ranking records : No. 1 on Yahoo & Google

◎mment EXPO Shanghai

Taiwan Pavilion, at EXPO 2010, Shanghai China 

"Taiwan Pavilion is nation's symbol of Taiwan".  reported by Taiwan's major news, July 12, 2010.

How is Taiwan's national power ?

(1)  Taiwan unaware its high-tech not impressive

     The biggest problem of Taiwan Pavilion is that Taiwan does not know Taiwan is A+ ? B- ? or C+ in high tech. and cultural creativity.

     Taiwan's cultural officer expressed in Taiwan's newspaper that Taiwan Pavilion showcases "outstanding" high‐tech advancement, as well  as cultural creativity (see 2 pic below).

     However, Japanese media later comments it's not particularly impressive about Taiwan's high-tech applications , and not mentions a word on Taiwan's cultural creativity, only give highest tribute to tour guides service －  there're about 35 volunteer/guides, one to serve 40 visitors each tour.  

     But this labor expense is only tiny part of total cost NT$1000000000 .   

Expo Shanghai
2 pic above : Taiwan's leader in cultural field emphasizes (in Taiwan's media, see 2 pic. above) Taiwan's outstanding high-tech. as well as cultural creativity.   However, Japanese <Flash> comments Taiwan's high-tech. is not particularly impressive.

 ps: <The Economist> describes Expo as a "theme park".  <L.A. Times> comments 3 D film & video games inside Chinese Pavilion are low arts.  
       The leader in creativity for the China Pavilion is a Taiwanese.  

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(3) Cultural, but not Creative

      Unexpected & astonishing creativity has rarely been seem in Taiwan's films, animation and advertisement/commercials
      (won almost nothing int'l awards by using sharp wits ).

     As expected, Taiwan Pavilion is about the same as above. 

     You may see Taiwan's minorities cultures,  traditional custom or thoughtful labor services, but absolutely nothing unconventional, flashing ideas or poetry-like imagination like UK Pavilion "Seed Cathedral " or Cannes Lion's creativity.

    Taiwan media applaud its "sensational mountains and beautiful lakes" in the pavilion's film, but, in fact, Taiwan landscape is not world class, or far worse than Swiss mountain & lakes, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls  in US.

    Taiwan media paid a high tribute to some interesting ideas like  flower scent and rain falls to visitors, but it's a cliche, i.e., Singapore Pavilion in EXPO Japan already used similar but  young-minded idea,  to show a tropical rain-forest and their wet climate,  Even little agents in the US sell real estate by cinnamon smells to inspire customers with  warm memories of their childhood (nostalgia) . 

    Taiwan's problem probably is sort of  "old fashioned, serious " mind,  some even like to mock creativity as "kid's stuffs".

(4)  Taiwan's thinking way

      Taiwanese are practical, not tasteful in aesthetics  & creativity. (easily tell by all-time grossing film, popular ad., or housing)

      Taiwan likes kind of strategy (or tactics) thinking, so, some interactive designs are included in Taiwan pavilion.

      Taiwan prefers effective way  , so, "exotic" flavors (old temples, praying in old Chinese ritual, tasting Taiwan special tea, listening to Taiwan traditional instrument..) must be there.

      Taiwan wants communication, instead of showing off creativity that most Western people like to do, so, lots hidden meanings are there for decoding, if tourists have enough time.

      Taiwan can't put  serious things to practice by younger (or playful) & sharp-witty way.

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(5)    over-interpretation  －  metaphor communication

    Taiwanese (experienced long-term suppression) like to think and communicate in "metaphor" (detour) way    －     to over-interpret boring stuffs or to encode "rich" meanings into boring stuffs.   i.e., Taiwan's films won some prizes by using this tricks and exotic mysterious flavor , but not any more,   Western people still think Chinese are inscrutable ?.   

    Taiwan Pavilion includes many hidden meanings, for instance,

    The shape of Taiwan pavilion symbolizes a sky-lantern for praying for peace, well, usually it's pray for  happiness, safety and health. 

    The giant sphere symbolizes “heart of Taiwan”, but  another interpretation is  symbolizing the Earth.   The ridge lines of Taiwan’s mountains are similar to Cardiac heart-beat wave . 

     Anyway, no visitor recognizes sky lantern or is willing to spend efforts on interpreting all these metaphors,  I don't feel those brilliance of metaphor.

     Some mocks Taiwan venue as a toilet by its appearance  －  this has become a widely spread joke,  
    

(6)  free & open life style   vs.   emperor crown

    Due to Taiwan's reservation policy, 99% visitors won't be able to enter Taiwan Pavilion.  So, the architecture's aesthetics & creativity almost  decide the game.

    As a free China, this Taiwan Pavilion suppose to be created by totally free out-lines (like Spain ), dynamic vitality and unrestrained creativity (like UK ), strong, tough and unyielding personality against all odds (like Germany)  to contrast and contempt an emperor crown －  an ancient Chinese icon usually symbolizing  autocratic , unitary value, and strict order system.

    Obviously,  Taiwan doesn't make it right.

    Taiwan Pavilion architecture copied the form of an old icon :  sky lantern (very few Chinese know before).   It looks ordinary. 

    Taiwan's lantern can grasps visitors' eyeball at first glance for just a moment only by its strong light and jumping elements on the screen.   I passed by the Pavilion several times, those elements look not clear (Holland Pavilion's better) and not sharp witty.

    The Seed Cathedral  (UK Pavilion) with about same cost and same size as Taiwan Pavilion, makes a striking, visual demonstration of the U.K. as a creative and innovative nation,  (more than “cobblestones and fog.)      －   creates much bigger impact  than Taiwan's architecture.   Communist Chinese have voted UK's open, free-style as no.1 architecture for a long term..

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(7)  no refined culture

     Comments from media on Taiwan Pavilion include sky lantern is not originated from Taiwan, there's few refined culture in the Pavilion,   world people may not like those elements which can touch Taiwanese heart, etc

     However,  countries other than UK like Norway has seed bank,  many countries have green apple (Romania Pavilion) or sea shell (Israel Pavilion) or shopping basket (Spain), so, the key-point is not using an unique icon, but using an icon in an unique way  －  this can convince the world that today's Taiwan indeed has refined culture to design something shocking the world.  

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 (8)  Taiwan's creativity  vs. politics

      Expo stages multi-disciplined cultural creativities.   Creativity is the best communication and image strategy. 

      Taiwan kicks cultural creativity to the corner in usual days, in that creativity seems no use for political election, but requires extra efforts on social controls/adm., and Taiwan government prefers to use his own men, etc .

      Besides, Taiwan is not confident in a virility contest against rival nations in cultural creativity field.  My guess is Taiwan most likely plans to count on China's huge market, by cultural works written in Chinese language  －  so that no other country can compete with Taiwan's share.

 Taipei 101 tower

comment EXPO Shanghai

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 Shanghai EXPO. 2010 comments , by International media

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★ The Times, UK (May 2, 2010)

International expos are great big virility contests between nations, only peaceful and trade-related, rather than involving armies and missiles.

China has spent twice as much on this expo as it did on the Beijing Olympics. It’s as important to them as the Great Exhibition was to Victorian Britain. I can understand national pride, and I like the powerful image of our Seed Cathedral. But until someone proves to me that they can actually prevent wars, I can’t quite see the point of these wasteful globalist showcases any more.

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★ The Economist, UK (April 29, 2010)

Officials tend to avoid the term “theme park” to describe the expo, but that is what it is.

Sometimes officials call it  ......   as if it were a huge trade fair where business deals are struck (it is not). A better explanation was  ...... Visitors ... were supposed to experience “the sensation of being in a fantastic movie of light and sound, or entering a theme park full of colour and attractions”. Fun is a central objective.

Another is instilling patriotic pride, a motive very familiar to expo organisers of yesteryear.  More than 190 countries have put up displays or pavilions, often bizarre architectural follies. But these are dwarfed by the 63-metre-high China pavilion (above) a colossal edifice resembling an ancient imperial crown. It is painted in the oxblood red of Beijing’s Forbidden City and is intended to awe visitors in much the same way. The eco-friendly themes that some other countries have tried to convey with their pavilion designs have been eschewed by China in favour of a demonstration of power and might.

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★ The L. A. Times, USA  ( May 27, 2010)

Think the Guggenheim meets Disneyland and you'll have a sense of the range of expression contained within the expo's grounds.

There is high art — the French have brought in works by Manet, Cezanne and Rodin, among others — and low art.   Inside the Chinese pavilion are video games and 3-D films with spiders and tigers that seem to jump off the screen.

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★ The Times, UK (May 1, 2010)

At Shanghai Expo 2010, size matters.

President Hu Jintao said: “Shanghai's hosting of the World Expo is the pride of all Chinese people.”

Most importantly, nations and businesses feel they can’t afford to miss this six-month window to peddle their wares to the largest audience of potential consumers in the world. For top-end buyers, Shanghai has unveiled a handbag shaped like a Chinese takeaway food box.

For China this is another opportunity to demonstrate soft power on the world stage.

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★ BBC , UK (April 30, 2010)

The 2010 World Expo has opened in the city of Shanghai in what China hopes will be further proof of its rising global influence.

Almost 250 countries and international organisations are showcasing their culture in an event themed around sustainable development.

Many are doing so in pavilions with radical architecture.

Residents living near the Expo site have complained about oppressive security measures.

Six people who protested about having their homes destroyed to make room for the Expo have been sent to labour camps.

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★ Washington Post, USA  (April 30, 2010)

"The obvious conscious message is that China has arrived,"

 "We are basically celebrating China's emergence as a world power."

Everything about the Shanghai jamboree is super-size, most prominently the China Pavilion,

China's pavilion has also stirred some grumbling. There have been complaints that its design was cribbed from a Japanese exhibit in Spain in 1992. The Chinese designer denies this.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of the Expo's organizing committee, said China is not trying to show off by building a gigantic national pavilion.

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★ The Straits Times, Singapore (April 27, 2010)  "Shanghai World Expo showcases China's soft power"

 the  crown-shaped China Pavilion towers over other nations' exhibits as a physical display of the country's pride and growing power.

 the biggest World's Fair ever will let China's communist leaders showcase design, tourism and cultural diplomacy

'The Chinese government is feeling more and more self-confident, but not so confident,'

'Many ultranationalists hope Beijing will show its hard power, but the government is still very careful. The Expo is a very safe way for them to show China's soft power,

only the China Pavilion dominates.

'China is not only showcasing its 5,000 years of civilization, but also showing what is going on in today's China,'    'It wants to show how Chinese people's lives have improved.'

For some Chinese, pride is mixed with doubts over the huge costs involved in such events.

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★ Washington Post, USA  (May 1, 2010)

World's fair in Shanghai provides China with another showcase opportunity.

  Tens of thousands of Shanghai residents watched the fireworks show Friday evening. "In the past, foreigners looked down on Chinese," said Jiang Xian, a retired petrochemical worker. "I am now very proud and excited."

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“While the Beijing Olympics gave China the chance to host the world and show the world what China is, at Expo, the Chinese people are the guests and the various nations are playing host, showing China what the world is”

The ultimate winners of this contest will be decided not by referees with stopwatches or judges with scorecards but by the 70 million people — mostly Chinese . The impressions they take away are likely to shape such decisions ...

At earlier world’s fairs, the key draws were often exotic products from distant lands and gee-whiz inventions like the Ferris wheel and the alternating current system of electricity. In today’s world of globalized trade and rapid communications, some architects say, there is a higher premium on the form of the Expo pavilions.

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★ 《Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung》Germany, May 2010

      Expo.  gives China another chance (after the Beijing Olympics) to show the world a new big power,  as well as provides Chinese leader a stage to show his achievement.

      Many Chinese people is leading a much better life than those of 10-30 years ago   －    no longer starved,  more possibilities for better life, but, this is half truth......

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★ 《Sueddeutsche Zeitung》Germany, May 2010

   Money is not the issue, Chinese leaders embrace the Expo. on any condition, because they think this is a political stage for them.

   We are very happy for China's rising, after having been humiliated by colonialism and suffering from starvation for so many years.    

   But Shanghai Expo. drew people's attention away from some major issues ....  on purpose ...

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★  The New York Times, USA (April  29, 2010)

This decidedly eco-unfriendly approach has been the object of some sharp criticism from both Chinese and foreign commentators.

“Building all these structures for temporary use is not a great model for sustainable urban practices”

“Shanghai is definitely looking at Comac as the next big thing after the Expo,” Mr. Jarrett said. “It will mean Shanghai is not only China’s Wall Street but its Seattle too.”

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★  The New York Times, USA (May  31, 2010)

Architects and city planners say Shanghai is using the Expo as an excuse to go on a huge spending spree that will help stimulate a weakening local economy but also push forward an already breathtaking transformation in this city of 18 million.

“

The Expo is also advancing a larger government goal of bolstering the economy and turning Shanghai into a global financial center and a world-class city.

Here in Shanghai, the potentially monstrous building is already being called the Dragon.

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★  The L. A. Times, USA (June 6, 2010)

After years of furious preparation, the Chinese metropolis hopes to drum up attention for itself as a modern, global city by hosting the largest expo the world has ever seen,  and largest single event in human history.

The promise of all this is attracting a sea of domestic tourists each day to see what the world looks like, or at least what the world looks like according to Expo.

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★  TIME magazine, USA  (June 5, 2010)

The jaunty blue expo mascot that bears a uncanny -  some might say deliberate resemblance to Gumby.

Until now you only hear collective voice of China, but this is about individuals' voices.

The lines for the stamps  are sometimes as long as for the venues themselves.  ... just a snapshot of a country, but it's still a great opportunity for ordinary Chinese to come into contact with the world.

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★  TIME magazine, USA  (Sept. 17, 2008)

Beijing ... rather empty Olympics  - because of visa restrictions - ... bet that Shanghai will give a warmer welcome to the world.

World fairs have lost their luster ... Shanghai is determined to revitalize the EXPO.

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★  TIME magazine, USA  (May 3, 2010)

Shanghai's back on top of the world.

Like the expo., Shanghai's leaders are focused on a better tomorrow .... In 2008, Shanghai residents staged a series of protests against plan ....

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★  Chicago Tribune, USA, (May 4, 2010)

The EXPO has not received a lot of publicity in the U.S.

Americans who do plan to attend have great expectations and often very personal reasons for going.

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comparisons with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing were inevitable. ... The capital's Olympic hotel splurge has left it with over 50 five-star institutions, ... Yet demand disappointed in the games' aftermath, giving rise to "book one night, get one free" deals and pessimistic headlines.

And if, thanks to the expo, Shanghai can start to rebrand itself as a "fun" place to stay (or live), it could win custom from Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, Macao.

★   <Yazhou Zhoukan> , Hong Kong, May 16, 2010  (founded by <AsiaWeek>)

Shanghai Expo. is China's latest, secret weapon for diplomacy.

★   《NanFang Daily》(Southern Metropolis Daily), China,   May, 2010

 China has an historic opportunity to demonstrate that it is growing powerful, and to spur nation's pride ...

 We should learn western's important values like  innovation, marketing and legislative reforms.  

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★   《The BeiJing News》, China, May  1, 2010

At Shanghai Expo., we are host, as well as students.

What we need most is not only latest tech., or new life, but also freedom, happiness and self-respect.

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★   《The MinPao》, Hong kong, May  1, 2010

The China Pavilion, Oriental Crown, is neither harmonious, nor a modern design.

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★  <The Straits Times>, Singapore (April 30, 2010)

Human rights groups have protested against the silencing of dissidents ahead of the event, and the apparent denial of accreditation to journalists from a Hong Kong-based newspaper known for its strong pro-democracy stance.

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★  <Cheng Ming> Monthly, Hong Kong. (May, 2010)

Shanghai Expo. is majestic but no creativity.

No freedom, ... , so lots of cribs .

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★  <MinPao> Weekly, Hong Kong, May 2010

The location of Taiwan Pavilion reflects its dubious/ambiguous status.

Those architectures at Expo. contrast Shanghai buildings' dull, unpleasant, and ugly.

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★ <Yazhou Zhoukan> , Hong Kong, May 16, 2010  (founded by <AsiaWeek>)

China needs to remove the pillar of "doctrinaire" and "autocratic systems"(tyranny)  from the architecture of China's Soft Power.

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★  <The United Daily News>, Taiwan (June 21, 2010)

Some Taiwanese elements can touch Taiwan's heart don't touch world's heart, .... , we need some links with the world ...

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★  <The Liberty Times>, Taiwan (July 13, 2010)

Taiwan government wastes lots of money on Taiwan Pavilion issue (built it, and planning to move it back ).

Worthy? scholar : marketing value ( moving Taiwan Pavilion back home) not very good.

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★  The New York Times, ( Nov. 2, 2010 )

... state employees and government bureaucrats from virtually every part of the nation were ordered to pile onto buses, trains and planes and head to the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, ... noble objective: helping the six-month-long Shanghai Expo reach its target of 70 million visitors,... Breaking the record was a matter of national pride, and in a country with a history of mass mobilizations and state propaganda,...  only 5.8 percent of the visitors ...  were foreigners, ......

The day after the conclusion of the so-called Green Expo — as it was called because of its emphasis on sustainable, environmentally friendly cities — something unexpected happened: pollution levels in Shanghai jumped to a near six-month high.
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★  Taipei Times,  Taiwan,  Dec. 16, 2010
　

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commen◎t EXPO Shanghai

.  other pavilions at EXPO 2010,  Shanghai China

   
 EXPO taxi (different from usual taxi) can go through some barrier, and be directly to the entrance gate   Make sure several gates in PuXi are different, some is better for taking shuttle bus to PuDong, some others is better to take ferry.

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African's  image on XL electric screen at the Africa Pavilion, looks like blonde hair, and orange skin ?

China built an Africa Pavilion for lots of African countries, there're 2 large souvenir markets there, I feel about 5 % sculpture are very good stuffs.

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Long long queue everywhere, particular at big nation's pavilions, but not in food court
(Chinese food street) where visitors can have popular food from most Chinese provinces, because
it's comparatively expensive to most Chinese visitors.  i.e., a mutton shashlik asks rmb 9.

At EXPO you can have ostrich imported from N. Africa, Tibet wild yak, and HeBei mule ....
but Taiwan's airport will not permit you to carry any mule jerky back home.

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France Pavilion, an architecture wearing a graceful net veil / mask looks like a lady of noble birth.

Very expensive painting / fine arts are exhibited here.

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An artificial canal inside Greece Pavilion -  not as majestic as Athens Olympic opening ceremony, probably because of economic difficulty .

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UAE Pavilion, a dynamic architecture designed by world famous architect, golden sand-hills look like 2 breasts.

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◎ Sweden Pavilion is witty, creative, you will see lots of clever designs, i.e., pic above is world first "shox" for horses to wear.

In contrast, other Northern European countries show totally different style.

◎  Demark : almost all films are slow motion to symbolize their easy life.  Lots of free bikes are offered for visitors riding around.

◎  Finland :  I like their fur souvenir.

◎  Norway : I saw visitors were not interested in their stuffs, the music "Secret Garden" is good, but listening at home sounds much better.  
      I eyewitness  in N. Euro area that 4 looks-healthy visitors jumped the queue by "Green Way" which is set for elders or the handicap.

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Bosnia Pavilion, lots of childish drawings contrast cruel war occurred there.

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Australia Pavilion, symbolizes nature red-soil landscape.

2 white-color shops sell very expensive coffee (about double price of Starbucks), juices, imported Abalone hamburger (about USD16)

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Belrus Pavilion, cartoons everywhere, kids love playing around.

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Belgium Pavilion, jewels for lucky visitor.

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Spain Pavilion, the architecture symbolizes a bamboo basket for house-wife.

The form of the building is dynamic, like sea wave or Spanish dancing-girl's moving skirt.

The "giant baby" is controlled by US computer tech. to show various appearances.

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German Pavilion, like a huge sculpture floating (hover) up in the air.

Some irregular, free shapes, strong & tough blocks form an asymmetry-balance, showing Germany personality : masculinity, precise, and cooperation.

In contrast, Mexico pavilion sinks to under-ground, they sell many souvenirs that look like treasures in ancient tombs.

Turkey pavilion provides with many real precious large pieces of antiques.     Egypt Pavilion has some too.

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North Korea Pavilion : No queue, you will see difficult gymnastic movements film, and many ancient lady drawings for sell.

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Belgium Pavilion, free chocolate for visitors -  late-birds won't have any .

If you like drinking, Chile Pavilion has a free wine party -  all you can drink.   The queue is not that long, but you will wait a long time, because everybody inside keeps drinking and doesn't leave.

Italy Pavilion has some free gifts, like leather shoes.   All part-time workers wear Italian famous brand (Prada, etc) uniform.

Taiwan Pavilion has free tea and souvenir for visitors.

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In Danish Pavilion, you will never see mermaid so closely and clearly like that.

UK Pavilion, a sea urchin shaped <Seed Cathedral> , made aesthetical & creative astonishment.

It's an elaborate version of designer's earlier architecture in UK, 2003.

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