Sichuan, the blessed land and the hometown of pandas, is charming as ever. The 2010 Shanghai World Expo Sichuan week officially kicked off in the morning of August 18 as Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Governor of Sichuan Province Jiang Jufeng announced the opening at Baogang Stage in the Expo Garden. The slogan welcome to Sichuan, We appreciate you help shown on the big screen voiced the thought of Sichuan people.
Sichuan Pavilion abounds displays with various elements covering history and future, culture and art, production and daily life, for example, the sunbird, the Giant Stone Buddha at Leshan Mountain, Doujiang Weir abates and Nuclear Power Equip model. All these attracted the eyes of guests who had attended the opening ceremony.
At the front of Wall of Gratefulness aiming to show Sichuan s achievement in post-quake renovation and Sichuan people s gratitude, Committee member of the CPC Central Politburo, Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Yu Zhengsheng and Deputy Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Mayor of Shanghai Hanzheng carefully looked at the pictures of Doujiang Weir which is reconstructed with the aid of Shanghai.
Yu wrote down the word good and Han wrote down happiness on the wall to express their good wishes to Sichuan. The chairman of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Liu Yungeng and Chairman of Shanghai People's Political Consultative Conference Feng Guoqin also attended the opening ceremony.
Huang Xiaoxiang, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, extended warm welcome to all the guests on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government in his speech on the opening ceremony. He said that as a member of the big family of motherland, Sichuan would like to be a performer on the splendid stage of the World Expo rather than just share its achievements.
The launch of Sichuan week can further interpret the theme Better City Better Life and better demonstrate Sichuan s profound history and colorful ethnic characteristics. More importantly, it presents to the world Sichuan people s diligence, optimism and aggressiveness.
Huang said that Sichuan is entering the lane of scientific and rapid development. Based on the instructions of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, we will take the chance of Western Development Drive to accelerate the construction of western economic highland and to build a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. Hospitable Sichuan people sincerely invite visitors to attend activities held during Sichuan week, and to go sightseeing, make investment and start up business in Sichuan.
Yang Xiong, member of the standing committee, deputy mayor of Shanghai, extended congratulations on the holding of Sichuan week. He praised Sichuan for its achievements in earthquake relief efforts and post-quake renovation, and believed that Sichuan would finally gain the victory in the battle against geological calamity. He said Sichuan week will fully display Sichuan s spirit and promising future, providing a chance for visitors form home and abroad to know about Sichuan, experience Sichuan and love Sichuan. We keenly look forward to progressing with Sichuan together.
Wang Jinzhen, vice-chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, chief government representative of China Pavilion, said Sichuan Pavilion reveals the profound cultural history of Sichuan and suggests Sichuan people s perseverance after the earthquake. It not only shows gratitude to people around the world but also shows Sichuan people s aspiration to build a better city and better life.
Han Zhongxin, Li Chengyun, Wu Zhengde, the chief justice of the Higher People s Court Liu Yushun, 95 representatives from foreign embassies and consulates, members of Sichuan delegation, representatives of earthquake relief staff, Sichuan people dwelling at Shanghai and business representatives. Secretary General Yu Wei presided over the opening ceremony.
After the opening ceremony, leaders from both provinces visited some other pavilions like China Pavilion and Shanghai Pavilion. They watched the performance Beauty of Sichuan and attended Superb Craftsmanship in West Sichuan , an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage and folk art, as well as a show about wine culture in Chinese liquor Golden Triangle . They also attended the launching ceremony of Sichuan week float parade.
Jiang and his delegation paid a special visit to the Life and Sunshine Pavilion to watch the show performed by the disabled from Sichuan, and wrote an inscription strive to be stronger and independent, congratulations on your successes
Sichuan week, taking Sichuan, a land of abundance, the hometown of pandas as the theme, will last until August 21. During these 5 days, a series of kaleidoscopic activities like shows at squares and Baogang stages will be held to show lovely pandas, pretty Sichuan girls, sweet-smelling Sichuan alcohol, fragrant Sichuan tea, marvelous Sanxing Pile, and colorful national customs, so as to convey Sichuan s greeting and gratitude to the world.
