Our deepest condolences

Wu Jianmin, former Chinese Ambassador to France, BIE President, and Director of China Foreign Affairs University died in a car accident on June 18.

Photo: People’s Daily

Destined And Dedicated to World Expo

On May 2, 2001, on behalf of the Chinese government, Wu Jianmin, then the Chinese Ambassador to France submitted China’s application for hosting World Expo 2010 to Mr. Loscertales, Secretary-General of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE).

On January 30, 2002, on behalf of the Chinese government, Wu Jianmin submitted another report for China’s application of World Expo 2010 to BIE. From here, Mr. Wu embarked on the hard journey of bidding for the World Expo.

In the hosting nation statement session held on July 2, 2002, Wu Jianmin, as the head of the Chinese delegation, summed up Shanghai’s advantage as a hosting city in 4 aspects:

1. Full support from the Chinese government and people of the nation;

2. Number of World Expo visitors was expected to break records with at least 70 million estimated domestic and foreign visitors;

3. “Better City, Better Life” presented by Expo Shanghai that drew interests worldwide since it asked a question inevitable in every urbanization process;

4. The objective of turning the Shanghai Expo into an expo that benefits the whole world.

5. Finally, Wu ended his session with calling for everyone to “Meet in Shanghai in 2010.”

In the celebration held on December 3, 2002, Wu Jianmin said it was impossible for diplomats to feel fully empowered to perform their duty if our nation was not powerful enough. He also emphasized that “bidding for World Expo is a complicated project that received much support and concerted effort from many central departments, Shanghai municipal departments and numerous Chinese embassies to other countries. The victory belongs to all and to our homeland.” (Quoted from www.eastday.com) 

On December 12, 2003, Wu Jianmin was elected president by the 134^th BIE General Assembly and has become the first Chinese citizen and Asian to take this position, and it was also the first time for BIE to have someone from a developing country to take such an important role. BIE Secretary-General Loscertales addressed him as “World Expo Ambassador” and praised “the key role he played in helping his nation win the bid for hosting Expo 2010.”

Bringing China to the World and the World to China

Wu Jianmin has paid great attention to World Expo’s impact on China and strengthened the value of the World Expo culture. He has also had great expectations for the World Expo’s role in carrying the fruit of human civilization and promoting civilization’s progress. 

On the 134^th BIE General Assembly , Wu Jianmin summarized values of the World Expo’s existence in the 21st century as Great Exposition, Great Exchange, Great Cooperation and Great Development. According to him, its advantages lied in demonstrating the fruits of the world’s civilization and bringing face-to-face exchanges, cooperation, and development. Wu had a healthy confidence in this concept and firmly believed it would advance with the times and drive human civilization forward.   

Moreover, Wu Jianmin has examined World Expo under the context of international relations and believed that global urbanization has entered into a critical time in which successful World Expos would speed up the urbanization in China and impact and create city history development for the rest of the world.

Wu Jianmin in his visit to WEM pavilion in Expo Milano

Wu Jianmin also visited World Expo Museum (WEM) pavilion in Expo Milano 2015. Extremely familiar with World Expo history, Wu appraised the exhibits in a positive way and offered constructive advice. He also wished WEM the ability to build a better platform for the global exchange of World Expo culture.

Mr. Wu Jianmin is the example for all people working for the World Expo. May we at WEM offer our deep condolences and may the deceased rest in peace.