The theme of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Expo is "Better City, Better Life". It expresses the wish of human beings for better living urban environments in the future. City is the crystal of the civilization of humankind. In 1800, 2% of the global population lived in cities. In 1950, the figure raised to 29%, in 2000, almost half the global population moved to cities. By 2010, as estimated by the United Nations, the urban population will be up to 55% of the total human population.

With the fast development of the city, it is no doubt that people’s life will face a series of challenges, for example, pollution of the environment, cultural friction, less and less resources, etc. If we don’t control such kind of problems, the extended cities will make it even worse and influence the quality of people’s life.

Therefore, the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Expo proposes an idea of harmonious city – "Better City, Better Life". The harmonious city mainly embodies harmonious coexistence of plural culture, harmonious development of economy, harmonious life in the new era, and the harmonious interaction between urban and rural areas.

Through many sub-themes, the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China will make blueprints for the cities and harmonious urban life styles in the future, providing an extraordinary educational and entertaining platform for visitors of all the countries throughout the world:

The emblem, describing the image of three people - you, me, and him or her holding hands together, symbolizes the big family of mankind in the world. It shapes like a happy family are enjoying themselves much. The shape of the emblem is created from a Chinese character "世", which means “the world”. The design conveys our Chinese people’s wish to host the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China. It also showcases the diversified urban cultures of the world.

This emblem is very creative. It combines Chinese calligraphy and the idea of harmonious life together. It expresses the idea of “understanding, communication, reunion, and cooperation” of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China. It hints that people are catering for beautiful and harmonious life style, and the Shanghai Expo is people centered.