Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) promised to attend the Shanghai 2010 World Expo in his capacity as city mayor and said he would not be belittled during the event.
Hau’s promise came after the Taipei City Government’s efforts in establishing Taipei as a wireless city and promoting recycling gained the recognition of the expo committee and it was invited to exhibit the city’s efforts at the event in Shanghai.
“Being admitted to the expo is a good thing. I will go to Shanghai as Taipei mayor to sign the contract and examine the location,” Hau said yesterday during a question-and-answer session at Taipei City Council.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor Lee Ching-feng (李慶鋒), however, expressed concern over China’s suppression of the nation’s sovereignty during the expo, and warned that China may include Taipei’s exhibitions in the “China” exhibition area.
DPP Taipei City Councilor Yen Sheng-kuan (顏聖冠) also questioned Hau over his capacity when attending the expo.
“China will definitely use a title such as ‘China Taipei’ or ‘Chinese Taipei’ to show that Taipei is part of China. Do you think you can attend the event as Taipei mayor? Or simply a citizen?” Yen asked Hau.
In response, Hau said he will attend the event in the capacity of Taipei mayor and make sure that the nation’s status was not belittled.
The expo will be held between May 1 and Oct. 31 in Shanghai, with representatives from more than 40 cities and over 200 countries, including London, Paris and Osaka, invited by the committee to attend the event, Taipei City Government said.
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