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Rotterdam signs Expo contract

Rotterdam confirms to showcase its plans to become a "water city" for the Shanghai World Expo.

Ivo Opstelten, mayor of Rotterdam

Zhou Hanmin, the deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

Both sides exchange presents.

Rotterdam will showcase its plans to become a "water city" for the Shanghai World Expo as its Urban Best Practice Area case, the city's mayor confirmed yesterday.

The city is turning into a comfortable "water city" instead of a coastal town constantly threatened by flooding.

The Dutch port has been increasingly threatened by flooding as global warming raises sea levels, mayor, Ivo Opstelten, said. The city government is planning to renovate three districts over 25 years to redistribute water overflows, he said.

After the renovations, Rotterdam will be a "water city" with ponds and greenery, he added.

The mayor said the city will share its ideas as well as the city's "World Port" image for the Expo.

Rotterdam will be a good example for all port cities, Zhou Hanmin, the deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, said after signing the contract in Rotterdam.

Eleven cities have signed UBPA contracts with the Shanghai World Expo organizers.