国内英语新闻:Shanghai World Expo wins overseas applause

"Some U.S. friends who visited the Shanghai Expo told me that they realized China not only has good food or great Kung-fu, but rich cultural heritage and modern technology. So it would be great if more foreigners could go to China for a visit. Seeing is believing," said Lin.

William H. Su, president of Chinese Merchants Association in New York, visited the Shanghai Expo also in May. He was impressed by the grand architecture of different styles as well as the helpful staff and volunteers there.

"The Shanghai Expo proved to the world that a developing country can also hold such a successful World Expo. I am so proud of it. The Beijing Olympics and Shanghai Expo showed China's rising influence in the world," he said.

Elizabeth Wishnick, Associate Professor of Montclair State University in the U.S. state of New Jersey, felt the Shanghai Expo- bound subway was quite convenient when she traveled to Shanghai in July. She could still recall the passion and hospitality of people in Shanghai. She also gave a different take of the long queues in front of each pavilion.

"I think it reflected that Chinese people are eager to know foreign cultures and history. The Shanghai Expo is a window for ordinary Chinese to be exposed to different cultures across the world. This will help deepen cultural understandings and solve the disputes caused by economy and politics," she said.

Dr. Wishnick noted that Shanghai has already enjoyed a great reputation in the global community. The Shanghai Expo furthermore raised the cultural profile of Shanghai on the global stage.

Elizabeth Economy, Senior Fellow and Director of Asia Studies at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, said though she had not been able to attend the Shanghai Expo, she knew it was well-received in the United States based on her friends' feedbacks and news reports.

"The Shanghai Expo displays China's cultural variety and fosters mutual understandings between Chinese and foreign people. It helps foreigners know more about a vivid China," she said.