World Expo Shanghai goes on line. And people who can't make it to the real 2010 World Expo will be able to visit the pavilions via the Internet. Expo Shanghai Online, was launched Monday at a seminar in Paris. Switzerland became the first country to join.

Expo Shanghai Online is a brand-new program, bringing the more than 150 year tradition of World Expo into the 21st Century.

The Web site, which goes partially live in January 2010 will allow people worldwide to see three-dimensional images of the pavilions, on line. Those who log on can "walk" into every corner of the Expo sites and view them from a first-person perspective. They will be able to view performances any time, anywhere. They will also be able to interact inside the pavilions by playing games or chat with pavilion chiefs. They can even plan a future city in keeping with the Expo's theme of livable cities and innovation.

At the launch event, the deputy commissioner general of Switzerland's exhibition section, Manuel Salchli, handed a letter confirming his country's participation to Zhu Yonglei. Zhu is deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.

Vicente Loscertales, secretary general of the International Expositions Bureau, hailed the program as a great innovation with historic significance.

Representatives from Switzerland and Japan introduced plans for setting up a 3-D online pavilion through online technology, during the 2005 World Expo at Aichi.

(CCTV April 16,2008)