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Special train brings Shanghai Expo to Chile

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A specially-designed subway train, "Chile in Expo Shanghai 2010," was launched on Wednesday in the Chilean capital of Santiago, providing a visual tour to Chileans who cannot personally go to Shanghai for the Expo.

The seven-carriage train was decorated with the Expo's theme colors outside and many images inside, showcasing the splendor of the international fair to all passengers on board.

The train, another indication of the great interest of the Chilean government and people in the Expo, will play an important role in enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the event among the Chilean people, and promoting the friendly ties between China and Chile, said Lu Fan, Chinese Ambassador to Chile at a launching ceremony.

Lu said since the start of the Expo, more than 20 million people have participated in the event, or a daily average of 450,000 visitors. The Chilean Pavilion, with seed as its theme, is one of the most popular for the visitors at the Expo.

Hernan Somerville, commissioner general of Chilean Pavilion at the Expo, said travelling on the special Expo train can meet the hosts of the pavilion and get to know better Chile's response to Shanghai's call for "better cities, better life."

He said that the Chilean people can enjoy the main attractions of Chilean Pavilion from the photos inside the train: The Well of the Antipodes, the Wall of Chile and the trunk of the Sounds, among others.

Raphael Bergoeing, president of Santiago Subway, said that it is a privilege to be part of the Shanghai Expo at the Subway, because "we can connect people with a really important international exhibition that takes place in a country geographically far away yet close to Chile in terms of trade."

He said that the Expo train project perfectly fits with the subway's role as a structural axis of urban transport, which is precisely aimed at generating changes in cities and building relationships among its inhabitants, and improving their quality of life.

The train has attracted a large number of Santiago citizens upon its launch. It will be travelling on Line 1 of the city's underground transportation system for four months from now on, till the end of Shanghai Expo 2010 in October.