[ 내일신문 ] China staged a series of performances , parades and forums here Sunday to celebrate the end of the Shanghai World Expo , which International Exhibitions Bureau ( BIE ) President Jean - Pierre Lafon called an " astounding success . "   The first of its kind staged in a developing country , the event attracted 246 participating countries and international organizations and 73 million visitors . Both figures are records in the history of expos , the first of which was held in London in 1851 . On an area of 5 . 28 square kilometers , the Expo Site has become a global village where people can not only see rare cultural treasures from around the world -- the bronze chariot and horse sculpture from China ’ s Warring States period , the statue of Athena from Greece and French impressionist masterpieces , for example -- but also get a taste of the diversity of the world ’ s cultures through more than 20 , 000 cultural events . The gala is eyed in China as another event of national splendor after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games showcased China ’ s status as an economic and political power to the world . It is also a milestone in both economic and social terms , bringing attention to the future of the planet , which is battling with poverty , war , pollution and energy shortages . Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao declared the closure of the Expo at a ceremony Sunday evening . Before that , he said at the Summit Forum on the sidelines of the Expo the success of the Expo has boosted China ’ s confidence and resolve to pursue reform and opening up . " The Expo has brought together the Chinese people wishing to learn more about the world and foreign friends wishing to know more about China . Thanks to the Expo , they have forged a strong bond of friendship , " said the Premier . United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki - moon called the Expo a " remarkable , even historic event . "" I hope that China will be an urban pioneer , " he said , adding that he looks forward to working closely with China on the sustainable development agenda . CHINESE AS CITIZENS OF THE GLOBAL VILLAGEThe 184 - day event provided a rare opportunity for Chinese people to experience the world with their own eyes and bodies . Although the number of overseas - bound Chinese tourists rose to 47 . 76 million last year , more than 200 times that of 30 years ago , most Chinese still have no access to first - hand foreign information . Mei Haixing , 59 , a retired teacher from a Shanghai middle school , has visited the Expo more than 30 times . He has written a 400 - page diary to record his precious Expo memories . The diary has pictures , souvenirs and signatures from different pavilion curators . " The Expo is like a huge museum of the world ’ s different cultures , " he said . The Chinese are not satisfied with their current level of knowledge and access to entertainment , according to Sheng Banghe , a sociologist with the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics . " At first , I jeered those who lined up to get a stamp in their Expo passports . Now I understand their enthusiasm . Many Chinese have no chance of obtaining a real passport , let alone receive visa stamps from other countries , " said Zhang Wei , an editor at China Youth Daily . Pavilions like the French " Sensual City " and the Italian " City of Man " that centered on an individual ’ s free and vigorous lifestyle have inspired the Chinese to dream of an even rosier future . Some migrant workers ( poor farmers who move to the cities to work ) visited the Expo . Liu Huafeng , a construction worker from central China ’ s Henan Province , said he found out how wonderful urban life can be after visiting the Expo . The Expo will have a profound influence on Chinese , who have learned the way to behave as citizens of the global village , including queuing in orderly lines . The organizers said they have gained experience in public governance by interacting with visitors over the Expo - period . At the beginning of the Expo , which opened on May 1 , just 200 , 000 visitors had caused headaches for the organizers . But they successfully dealt a record single - day attendance of 1 . 03 million on Oct . 16 . With more umbrellas , fences , fans , signs , and wheelchairs , facilities and service at the Expo site greatly improved . " The changes were made in response to visitors ’ complaints and suggestions , " said Qian Bojin , director of the Expo visitors ’ service center . BECOMING MORE FAMILIAR WITH CHINAThe Expo also offered the world , still extricating itself from the shadows of the financial crisis , a window through which it could better observe and understand China , a poor , sometimes mysterious country with a gigantic world presence . The Expo was especially noteworthy for a number of reasons . For the first time in 30 years , Russia constructed its expo pavilion rather than renting one from the host country ; the U . S . overcame its difficulties and raised enough funds , completing the construction work of its pavilion in time ; the European Union ’ s participation was its first at a World Expo outside Europe ; China helped build the African Joint Pavilion for 42 African countries and the African Union to achieve a collective presence at the Expo . Iceland managed to take part even after being shaken by the global financial crisis and the volcanic eruption that disrupted air traffic over Europe in April . Haflidi Savvarsson , Iceland Pavilion Director , said his country ’ s pavilion was run in cooperation with 80 Icelandic companies hoping to do business in China , a big number considering the size of the country . " I am very confident we have managed to plant a little seed in the minds of our Chinese and overseas visitors and this little seed will eventually grow and tell them : I will go and visit Iceland , " he said . David Percival , head of Inward Investment , China , UK Trade and Investment ( UKTI ) , said during the Expo the UKTI ran the biggest program of commercial events ever in a single country with more than 150 events . He said his team is working on 200 Chinese investment projects , most of which are in new sectors such as digital content and new energy sources . Krestine Nielsen , Denmark Pavilion staff member , sang the Chinese folk song " What a Beautiful Jasmine " with some 150 curators and staff at the closing ceremony . She donned a red skirt dotted with Chinese characters for " Little Mermaid " for the performance . Coming to the Expo was the first time the 22 - year - old had left her small town of Skanderborg . " I kept saying ’ Stamping on the second floor , riding bicycles on the third ’ in Chinese to guide the visitors every day . I found great difference between Chinese culture and that of my own . I am willing to spend time to understand China , " she said . SOLUTIONS BEYOND TECHNOLOGIESThe Expo , with the theme " Better City , Better Life , " has laid out new criteria for the urbanization process in the future . According to the organizers , half of the population of the planet now lives in cities . Scientific innovation will continue to play a major role in solving urban problems , just as Expos over the last century have demonstrated . Many people believe an ideal society can only be achieved through scientific and technological development . Developed countries brought their high - end technologies to the Expo , including intelligent cars , clean energy , nanotechnology and smart medical devices . Still , Japanese Pavilion director Noriyoshi Ehara said that science and technology are not the ultimate means to solve problems . That is why the theme of the Expo gradually changed from focusing on economic development to environmental protection , he said . " We are convinced that it is necessary to re - examine the relationship between people , cities and our planet , " read the Shanghai Declaration made by leaders attending the Expo Summit Forum Sunday . Many pavilions attempted to find solutions to problems using social and moral means , not technology . The U . S . and Japanese Pavilions both stressed cooperation and team work while the Indian and German Pavilions focused on " balance . " The Cote d ’ Ivoire Pavilion advocated the integration of cultures . At the China Pavilion , visitors saw the possibility of realizing sustainable development through the borrowing of ideas from the country ’ s traditional wisdom in order to bridge the gap between mankind and nature . The Shanghai Declaration said that " in tackling the challenges of urban development , innovation offers solutions and the concept of ’ Cities of Harmony ’ embodies our dreams . " Volunteer Wang Qianhe , a junior at Shanghai ’ s Donghua University , said it was difficult to say goodbye to the Expo . More than two million people from home and abroad volunteered for the Expo , of whom 80 , 000 worked at the Expo site . However , to Wang ’ s delight , a permanent building , the Expo 2010 Museum , will be built in Shanghai to preserve the Expo ’ s glory . More than 200 Expo participants have already expressed willingness to donate exhibits to the 20 , 000 - square - meter museum . The next Expo will be held in Milan , Italy , in 2015 . BIE President Lafon said the spirit of the Shanghai Expo will live on long after its closing . " The light of the Shanghai World Expo will continue to shine long into the future . "[ 저작권자 ⓒ ( 주 ) 내일신문 . 무단 전재 - 재 배포 금지 ]