The Shanghai World Expo is set to open on May 1. The theme of this expo, "Cities: Making Life Better," has received high praise from participating countries. The Vice President of the Philippines, Noli de Castro, who traveled to Shanghai to promote the Philippine Pavilion, commented that this theme represents a common goal for the world, and the Philippines sincerely wishes for the success of the Shanghai World Expo.
During his visit to Shanghai, Mr. de Castro met with the Expo Bureau to learn about the preparations for the event. He enthusiastically remarked on the significance of the upcoming Shanghai World Expo: "The Shanghai World Expo holds great importance. This expo is dedicated to showcasing the unique cultures of various countries, allowing people from around the world to enhance their understanding of one another and achieve cultural integration globally. Many people are looking forward to experiencing the Shanghai World Expo firsthand, as this expo is known to be the largest, most organized, most comprehensive, and most modern in the history of world expos."
Mr. de Castro also serves as the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council of the Philippines and has long been committed to advancing research and practice in urban development. Therefore, he has profound and unique insights into the theme of the Shanghai World Expo, "Cities: Making Life Better." He stated: "'Cities: Making Life Better' is a common goal for the world. The beautiful city referred to here is not solely defined by material wealth, such as well-developed infrastructure and towering skyscrapers, but also depends on the happiness and satisfaction of the city's residents. In other words, urban development must adhere to a people-centered principle, and the fruits of development should benefit the people and be shared with them. The Philippines and China both operate in this manner."
On the eve of the expo's opening, Mr. de Castro led a delegation to Shanghai to hold a series of promotional activities for the Philippine Pavilion and personally explained the design concept and features of the pavilion. In an interview, Mr. de Castro proudly stated that in response to the theme of the Shanghai World Expo, "Cities: Making Life Better," the Philippine Pavilion is themed "Dynamic City," showcasing the unique character and urban vitality of the Philippines through various representations of Filipino hands on the exterior walls of the pavilion. He said: "You can see different hands, almost encompassing people from all walks of Filipino society; they will showcase the diverse culture of the Philippines and the vibrant characteristics, talents, and wisdom of the Filipino people. Once you enter the pavilion, you will fully experience the daily life of Filipinos. You will understand Filipino culture and see how the Filipino people can still face life with a smile even in difficult circumstances, uniting together to create a better life."
The Shanghai World Expo is being held against the backdrop of a global economy that has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the financial crisis. This financial crisis has prompted much reflection and warning for both developed and developing countries. Mr. de Castro believes that in the context of the global financial crisis, multilateral communication is even more important, and the Shanghai World Expo provides a grand stage for the world to discuss measures and cooperation to address the financial crisis. He stated: "The financial crisis has precisely proven that the world is interconnected, and no country can face it alone. To disperse risks, we must strengthen multilateral cooperation, which can help mitigate the harm caused by the financial crisis to some extent. For members of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the economic crisis also tells us that it is time to unite and respond together. Today's China is a rapidly developing major country, and it has good cooperation with neighboring countries. I believe that strengthening cooperation should not only be at the economic level but also at the cultural level."
