SHANGHAI - Organizers of Expo 2010 Shanghai on Thursday dismissed rumors that the extravagant fair would be extended this year owing to the mounting public interest, saying the six-month event will conclude as scheduled.

The Expo, a landmark occasion for Shanghai to establish a powerful global profile, is fast gaining popularity and rumors are rife that the fair, which kicked off on May 1, will be extended to the end of December.

Reportedly, organizers handed out questionnaires to the sponsors and participants to collect their feedback on a proposal to extend the event this year.

"The Expo will come to a close at the end of October," the event's spokesperson Xu Wei told China Daily.

The World Expo is governed by the Paris-based Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), established by an international convention signed in 1928 to oversee the calendar, bidding, selection and organization of the fair.

"The BIE is not aware of any talks about the extension of the Expo duration," said Tomoko Iimura, a communications official for BIE.

According to Article 3 of the Paris Convention of 1928, which is the founding international convention of the BIE and establishes the rights and responsibilities of Expo organizers and participants, a World Expo cannot last any longer than six months, she said.

"All countries hosting an Expo under the auspices of the BIE must abide by the rules established in the aforementioned BIE Convention and other BIE regulations," she added.

A number of participants, including France, said they have not received any notice or inquiry regarding the extension.

Organizers have said that only the China Pavilion, the top attraction of the Expo, which can accommodate 38,000 people per day, will remain open to the public after the Expo comes to a close. A detailed program is in the pipeline.

The Expo, held for the first time in a developing country, is showcasing the latest concepts for "Better City, Better Life", in pavilions from practically every country and many international organizations, cities and big corporations.

The attendance at the event had risen to about 18.2 million as of Thursday.

Organizers are expecting some 70 million people to go through the turnstiles at the massive culture and technology show during its six-month duration.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/25/2010 page4)