David Ferguson: Now I'd like to move on to the close. We have one or two questions from the watching netizens. I have a thorny one for you to start with: There are media reports that some NPC and CPPCC delegates from Shanghai are disappointed that Premier Wen Jiabao's Government Work Report failed to mention the Shanghai Expo, and they think the central government has not given adequate attention to it. How would you react to that question?

Zhou Hanmin: I will say the response from those is somewhat too sensitive because the bidding as well as the organizing of the world exposition has been all the time under the leadership of central government.

I will just mention one example: the second day after the closing of Olympics, President Hu Jintao went to Korea, among his very busy schedule and agenda, one thing was on the top, it's a joint conference between China and South Korea for Expos because China is going to have its Expo in Shanghai in 2010, South Korea is going to have a smaller Expo lasting for three months in Yeosu in 2012. How will we work together, we need to sign a memorandum and also to sign a participation contract for Korea in Shanghai Expo. Mr. Hu made a wonderful speech, by mentioning that this Shanghai Expo is a key project for the nation and a key opportunity for the re-bounce of the economy.

That's the first example, let me give you a second because you mention the name of Premier Wen Jiabao. Under the leadership of the Premier, the State Council held its special meeting on February 11 – less than one month ago – in Beijing just for the Shanghai Expo. I remember three key messages that the meeting and his Excellency sent out to the world:

First, we are going to use well all the energy of the nation and to collect all wisdom around the world to make it a success.

Second, Shanghai Expo could be a very important event to fight back the financial crisis and economic recession. Let's do it.

And third, the first and foremost job for the organizers – us – is to better our services, to consolidate so far whatever achievements we have got to further promote Shanghai Expo.

So in the Work Report, so many things all round that never before were mentioned need to be mentioned. Shanghai Expo is at all times a focal point, at the core attention of the nation. We can't respond in an overly sensitive way.

David Ferguson: Thank you. I'm glad you take such a positive view and I hope that any delegates who did feel disappointed are suitably reassured.

Today's economic environment is very different from that which prevailed in 2002 when Shanghai was awarded the Expo. With the benefit of hindsight are there any things that you would have done differently? What might they be?

Zhou Hanmin: The situation, frankly, is much better than at that period of time. At that time, we didn't know much about what we were doing and what is the approach to do things well. Now we know much better, because we have taken all these previous expositions as very good teachers – including the Beijing Olympics, I deem as another very good teacher for us to do things.

Secondly, the overwhelming and positive response from the world, in terms of the compilation of participation, in terms of the signing of contracts, in terms of the starting of construction of pavilions, really let us feel at ease that no matter what kinds of things will happen, in economic or social terms, this is a joint effort. The boat of the Shanghai Expo is on the sea, we have only one direction and everyone is on the boat. We need to work all together to go to that. So we don't have any other alternatives to choose in this moment.

David Ferguson: We have one final question. When the doors close on the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, you will have been working on the event for 9 years or more by then, what will be the key indicators for you that the event has been the success which I know you would want it to be?

Zhou Hanmin: You are right, that moment could be a very emotional moment, because in the whole period after the success of the bidding, I have never written anything as a memoir of myself. That never means I don't have my own feelings or emotional reactions towards the project. What could satisfy me at that moment after the closing is if people think it is a meaningful thing, if it can leave something on history. That's the greatest honor for me.

As an intellectual, I can work so closely for this event for one decade, the most beautiful period of my personal life. I think this is a rare chance. Lots of people feel so happy that I'm working here. Though most of my classmates are overseas – even we have certain billionaire classmates – they still honor me as a kind of "group leader" with the ideal, with the dream, and with the real effort to keep the thing going. I will feel very satisfied with that, though very emotional.

David Ferguson: Professor Zhou Hanmin, thank you very much for taking time with us today to speak about the Expo. Thank you for your frank answers to our questions, and thank you on behalf of our netizens who have taken part in the broadcast and watched and listened to you with great interest. Good luck with your continued work on the Expo.

(China.org.cn March 10, 2009)