Worldexpo 2010: a tribute to the emperor - Paul French

Paul French by Fantake via Flickr

The Worldexpo 2010 in Shanghai is mean to make the Beijing Olympics look small: bigger, more expensive and meant to attract many more visitors. Apart from the US pavilion, the other 190 national pavilions are government-funded, even in these financially disturbed times, as it is a way for countries to move into the world's fastest growing economy.
Paul French of Access Asia to Reuters:

"It's for countries to cozy up. For countries like Australia or France, it's make-up money, a tribute to the emperor. They are apologizing for all the trouble caused in the last few years," said Paul French, chief China analyst with retail consultancy Access Asia in Shanghai.

 Germany is spending USD 67 million, the article says, Saudi Arabia USD 146 million.

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Paul French is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. When you are interested in having him at your conference, do get in touch.

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