World Expo authorized products will be launched in Shanghai on December 3 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the municipality being named host of the international event.

World Expo merchandise includes garments, accessories, stationery, healthcare, glass and pottery, toys and gifts. Also on sale will be a range of World Expo souvenirs and mascots.

Most of these products will be sold at what the sponsors describe as "affordable" prices to meet expected demand. The emphasis is on "green" products; all goods are to be manufactured in accordance with strict environmental standards, right down to the materials used.

All products are of original design. Great efforts were made to avoid any unintentional infringement of intellectual property rights.

These products are expected to further enhance the expo's growing emphasis on environment protection. As earlier reported, 13 cities, including Liverpool, Zurich, Madrid and Sao Paulo, have applied to showcase their environmental protection concept in the planned 15-hectare Urban Best Practices Area of the 2010 expo site.

Preparation for the Expo opening on May 1, 2010 is reported to be progressing smoothly. Construction of a planned 5.28-sq-km Expo park is nearing completion.

(China Daily October 10, 2007)