Published : 03/12/2025

On 3 December 2002, Shanghai, with 54 votes to 34, defeated Yeosu, South Korea, to win the right to host the 41st World Expo.

On that day, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held its 132nd General Assembly of member states, where countries including China, South Korea, and Russia competed for the right to host the 41st World Expo.

At 3:17 p.m. local time, after four rounds of voting, Shanghai won with 54 votes to Yeosu, South Korea's 34, winning the right to host the 2010 World Expo.

The World Expo is different from ordinary international conferences and exhibitions. It provides a stage for all countries of the world to showcase their highest achievements in aspects such as economy, culture, and science and technology.

It is the world's largest, highest-level, and most far-reaching large-scale exhibition, hailed as the "Olympics" of world civilisation.

The Chinese government officially announced on 8 December 1999 that it supported Shanghai as the bid city for the World Expo.

On 17 March of the following year, the Chinese government established a bid committee, with the then State Councillor Wu Yi (吳儀) serving as its chairwoman.

On 2 May 2001, the Chinese government formally submitted its bid application to the BIE.