China Wins Bid for 2010 World Fair, Seen Victory for 4G Leaders

˝The fact that Shanghai was chosen to host the World’s Fair in 2010 is a testament to China’s growing stature in the world and also a result of outstanding effort by the communist party and the people of China.˝

The People’s Daily, Chinese official paper, proclaimed in an editorial on the Dec. 4th edition, urging people to ˝work hard to establish a Shokang (meaning socialism for middle-class living) society and modern socialism by taking advantage of the strategic opportunity ahead.˝

The editorial of the official paper were introduced again throughout major mass media – the People’s Daily has been used as a platform for the communist party’s major propaganda.

The communist party expects the 2010 World Fair in Shanghai to not only help the country’s economy but also bring political stability. By winning the bid for the World’s Fair called `Economic Olympics` following the successful bid for the 2008 Olympics, the Chinese government is now seeing an opportunity to instill national pride to its people.

Pushing for an economic reform for some 20 years, the communist party has been pressured by people wanting democracy and political reform. With the latest win, however, it will be able to keep a national mantra for unity and further lay a firm ground for its rule based on the economic reform and sense of national pride.

As if they were proving growing nationalistic sentiment, messages such as `We did it finally,` `Congratulations on Shanghai, Blessing for the nation’ and `Chinese people stand tall. I feel proud of being a Chinese,” were posted on Chinese Web sites.

4th generation leaders, who are yet to prove their ability to lead the country, are also welcoming the news. The new leadership lineup headed by general secretary Hu Jintao is giving a present for people in only 18 days from their ascension.

Given the power structure within the party, political big wigs based in Shanghai, including President Jiang Zemin, will be able to wield a significant influence on the center stage. With five of the Shanghai group named members of the Politburo Standing Committee at the 16th National Congress last month, the Shanghai big wigs are expected to maintain their influence through the 17th congress set for 2007.

Shanghai party chief Chun Ryangwui is the next on the line to become a member of standing committee following his predecessors like Jiang Zemin, Zhu Rongji, Wu Bangguo and Huang Ju. Chun was appointed as party chief in only 8 months after he became mayor of the city. At the 16th congress, he climbed to Politburo membership and is now emerging as one of key 5G leaders by successfully winning the bid for the World’s Fair.

yshwang@donga.com