H.E. Mr. Jaap De Hoop Scheffer
　Minister of Foreign Affairs
　Kingdom of the Netherlands
　The Hague

　Beijing, 1 August 2002

　　Your Excellency,
　　As you may know, the Chinese Government in May 2001 submitted to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) its formal application for Shanghai to host the World Expo 2010.
　　The Chinese Government is an active player in the cause of world expositions, having taken part in 12 world expositions of different kinds and related activities since 1982. The bid for hosting a registered World Expo in 2010 by China, the largest developing country in the world, is in itself a great support to the cause of international expositions. Today's China enjoys political stability, economic prosperity, social progress and ever improving living standards for its people. China has all necessary infrastructure and adequate financial resources for hosting the World Expo 2010 and its World Expo bid enjoys the highest rate of public support in the world. China will have scored greater successes in its economic and social development by 2010. The Chinese Government and people are confident of making 2010 World Expo Shanghai a most successful event.
　　Shanghai is among the most economically developed are as in China and a showcase of China' s reform and opening-up. The city has all the conditions required for hosting a World Expo. The theme of World Expo 2010 in Shanghai is "Better City, Better Life". Shanghai plans to launch a large-scale renovation project on 22.6 square kilometers of land along the Huangpu River, turning 4 square kilometers of it into the site of the World Expo 2010, where all participating countries will display their new products, concepts, technologies and inventions. It is estimated that World Expo 2010 Shanghai will attract 70 million visitors.  It will provide all participating countries with a golden opportunity to further develop economic cooperation and trade with China.
　　The Chinese Government is firmly behind Shanghai in its World Expo bid. The Chinese Central Government bas pledged its strong financial support to Shanghai' s preparation for and hosting of the 2010 World Expo, and bas undertaken to provide 30 percent of the total government financial commitment with final guarantee. Shanghai for its part bas also made necessary financial arrangements. The Chinese Government will strictly observe The Convention of the Bureau International des Expositions and other BIE regulations, and provide necessary courtesy and facilities to personnel and exhibits from all participating countries and regions in their entry into China.
　　In the meantime, to facilitate participation by developing countries and promote economic cooperation and common development of the developing world, the Chinese Government will set aside US$100 million to subsidize the transportation of staff and exhibits and the construction of pavilions by developing countries taking part in the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, in an endeavor to turn the World Expo 2010 into a grand gathering of the whole family of nations.
　　A successful bid by China for the World Expo 2010 will not only bring about deeper integration of China into the global economy, but will also offer your country valuable business opportunities.
　　We hope that, proceeding from future development of our bilateral relations and with full consideration to the favorable conditions of Shanghai, your country will support China and support Shanghai.
　　Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(Signed) Tang Jiaxuan
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Minister of Foreign Affairs
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　People's Republic of China