The logo for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 will be selected from around 7,000 designs submitted from all over the world.

The Co-ordination Bureau of the Shanghai World Expo has received an overwhelming response from the public and from professional designers since it invited designs for the Expo logo, motto and theme song.

"We didn't expect to receive so many designs. It is beyond our anticipation," said Huang Yaocheng, deputy general director of the bureau.

The bureau had received 4,156 letters with logo designs from 19 countries and regions. People from all the provinces on the Chinese mainland as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao have submitted designs.

"Some letters have more than one design, so I estimate that there will be some 7,000 designs in total," Huang said.

Many designers, aged from 5 to over 80, are ordinary people enthusiastic about the event.

The organizer also sent invitations to 251 design institutions around the world to ask professionals to take part.

Students at the Industrial Design Department of Tongji University in Shanghai submitted more than 100 designs.

A Shanghai family even organized an internal competition for the design. Its three generations all participated and held a poll to decide which of the designs would be submitted.

The organizers are delighted with the wide participation that has taken place.

The emblem contest is one of a series of promotional activities organized by the bureau.

"Through such events, more people will have a better understanding of the Expo and make their contribution to it," Huang said.

Those who do not have gift for design, they will have a chance to vote for their favorite design, he added.

In September, the bureau will organize a panel of around 10 international judges for a three-round selection.

According to Huang, the ideal emblem should be a unique mixture of traditional Chinese culture and the modern spirit of Shanghai.

Organizers say that the logo must be easy to remember, understand, use and be good-looking.

Huang explained: "The emblem will be the symbol of the Expo and used in various materials and at numerous events, so we will pay a great deal of attention to the convenience of the design, in addition to its visual effect."

Designs which pass the first-round screen will be exhibited to the public, together with judges' remarks. Citizens can add their comments and vote for their favorite.

By the end of the year, the Shanghai World Expo Organizing Committee will make the final decision based on both the judges' and public opinions.

The final choices will be announced in December, the second anniversary of Shanghai's successful Expo bid.

The designer will receive a 200,000 yuan (US$24,000) prize.

"With such a large design pool, I believe we will find an ideal and impressive emblem for Expo," Huang said.

In addition to emblem, the contest for the Expo's theme song will continue until 2008.

Each year, 10 songs will be selected and performed at the annual Expo concert. By 2008, the theme song will be picked from the 50 songs that will have been performed over the five years.

Winners will receive a reward up to 150,000 yuan (US$18,000).

(China Daily August 19, 2004)