Liu Zhiping (R), President of Tencent, experiences the newly-launched interactive online community "ICity IExpo" in Shanghai, on Thursday October 30, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Yang Yang]
by Yang Yang
Whenever anyone mentioned the World Expo in the past, it was usually after a spectacular yet crowed event. But have you ever thought about experiencing a World Expo in the comfort of your own home? Now this is possible. It can be achieved through the Expo Shanghai Online, the first-ever online World Expo in history.
Zhu Yonglei, deputy director general of the Bureau of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination, says the Expo Shanghai Online is different from traditional official websites of the World Expo, where previously people could only get official news and information.
"The main feature of Expo Shanghai Online is to bring netizens a vivid virtual edition of the physical Expo 2010 through the internet and 3D technologies. It can help netizens experience the excitement of the Expo 2010 without actually visiting the pavilions onsite," said Zhu.
Multifunction and mega information are two of the most important features of the Expo Shanghai Online. As a global platform for exhibition event and interaction, the online expo serves as a guide to recommend, exhibit and educate. Expo Shanghai Online provides three-dimensional navigation through the expo's site, information on tourist attractions and assistance in booking tickets, interactive experiences of the exhibition, live broadcasting of regular events and many more online services.
Interactive experience is another characteristics of the Expo Shanghai Online and different online pavilions have their own specialties. In type A the online browsing users can view the Expo 2010 through designated camera angle and they can receive the information they want about the Expo. In type B the online experiencing pavilion possesses a more powerful online interactive experience. Upon entering, you can browse around the pavilion and experience the exhibition through different angles as if you are actually there. A virtual guide will aid users in making the online experience more effective and entertaining.
Type B can also provide extended virtual space for participants. This virtual space allows more room for creativity, expanding the Expo's theme of "Better City, Better Life". "ICity IExpo", an online interactive community launched on Thursday in Shanghai best demonstrates the experiencing function. Netizens can upload photos and stories about their cities and share with their friends living in other cities.
It is not an easy job to ensure such multifunctional online service goes smoothly for Tencent, China's exclusive online sponsor of Expo 2010. Xie Yuefeng, general manager of Shanghai Expo project, says although Tencent has many technological difficulties to overcome, they will make every effort to ensure the quality of the users experience in the Expo Shanghai Online with the help of their expert team.
"The difficulties refer to the 3D's high demand on bandwidth and the effect on the users' computer. The most important part is the quantity of the servers that Tencent is in charge of. It's very demanding. But we are confident that we can make the visiting experience smooth no matter where the users are located," said Xie.
The physical Expo will come to an end and with the exceptions of the China pavilion and the Theme pavilions, most of the other buildings will be dismantled after the Expo.
However, Expo Shanghai Online, whose Chinese version will be launched in the middle of November, lives and preserves highlights from 2010 Expo for future generations. The participants' hard work will also be sustained online.
With the launching of its English version not long after the Chinese one, Expo Shanghai Online will create an everlasting virtual exhibition that prolongs and spreads the legacy of World Expo. Expo Shanghai Online will be a stage where the curtain never falls.
Xie Yuefeng, general manager of Shanghai Expo project, briefs the media after Tencent Strategic Announcement Conference for Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, on Thursday October 30, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Yang Yang]
Liu Shengyi, executive vice president of online marketing services and corporate branding of Tencent, briefs the media after Tencent Strategic Announcement Conference for Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, on Thursday October 30, 2009. [Photo: courtesy of Tencent]
Zhu Yonglei, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, delivers a speech at Tencent Strategic Announcement Conference for Shanghai World Expo in Shanghai, on Thursday October 30, 2009. [Photo: courtesy of Tencent]
Zhu Yonglei, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, together with Liu Zhiping, President of Tencent, attends the launching ceremony of "ICity IExpo" an interactive online community in Shanghai, on Thursday October 30, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Yang Yang]