In the morning of April 30, the flags of 189 nations, 57 international organizations, the World expo bureau flag and the Shanghai expo flag were all raised at the expo venues.[2][3]
Outdoor opening fireworks
The event began at 8:10 pm with a massive river side display of fireworks and lights.[4]
In addition, speakers of legislative bodies, deputy heads, and ministers of over 20 other countries also attended the opening ceremony.[6] Just a few hours before the opening ceremony, the Maltese President, George Abela suffered from an accident, which left his second Lumbar vertebrae slightly damaged. He was taken to the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, and therefore couldn't attend the ceremony. Chinese leaderHu Jintao paid him a visit at the hospital the following day.[7][8]Hong Kong and MacauSpecial administrative region chief exec Donald Tsang and Fernando Chui both attended with a group of delegates.[9][10]
Presentations
The song "Harmonious Gathering" (和谐欢歌) was performed by Hong Kong's Jackie Chan and PRC's Song Zuying.[2] The PRC flag was raised, and the March of the Volunteers was played. Then the international bureau exposition flag was raised, and the expo song was played. This was followed by the raising of the Shanghai Expo flag and the playing of the Shanghai Expo song. Then the flag-bearers of 246 participating countries and international organizations paraded out.[4]Wang Qishan, Vice Premier of China and BIE president Jean-Pierre Lafon both gave a speech.[4][11] Hu Jintao then opened up the expo performances with an official statement.
The 30-minute outdoor ceremony took place along a 3.4-km stretch of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai. It set numerous world records, such as the biggest LED screen, the largest searchlight installation and one of the largest pyrotechnic displays ever created. The outdoor portion was produced by David Atkins enterprise.[17]
Part 1
First music piece was "China welcomes you" (中国欢迎你) accompanied by Spring Festival Overture. First music of that piece was "Civilization" (文明之光), followed by "Better City, Better Life" (城市,让生活更美好), followed by "Urban Rhapsody" (都市协奏曲). In this part was included the track "The Dragon" composed by Vangelis in his conceptual album China
Third piece was "World celebrate together"(世界同欢庆) accompanied by the piece (在快速机器上的短暂骑行), "Oh, destiny goddess" (哦!命运女神), Ode to Joy (欢乐颂), "Night of fire festival" (火把节之夜), "Good beijing news to mountain village" (北京喜讯到山寨), White jasmine (茉莉花).
^Chinadaily.com. "Chinadaily.com." Shanghai Expo opens for the world. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
^Big5.enorth.com.cn. "[news.big5.enorth.com.cn/system/2010/04/30/004651068.shtml Big5.enorth.com.cn]." 黃英廖昌永譚晶孫楠演唱世博會中文主題曲《致世博》--北方網-新聞中心. Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
^Asiaprnews.com. "Asiaprnews.comArchived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine." David Atkins Enterprises Delivers the Outdoor Opening Ceremony…. Retrieved on 2010-05-16.