This is a bit of a random question. Google maps shows there is a White Dragon Pool (白龙潭) inside the Forestry University. Does this place still exist or has it been demolished?

@chris8080
This year the Expo is held in conjunction with the annual trade fair. It seems to be an attempt to place Kunming at the center of a trade bloc that would include ASEAN member nations and South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal. They are considering dropping tariffs in an attempt to increase regional trade in Asia. You can read more here:
www.gokunming.com/[...]
As for tickets, or how to get in, I'm looking into it.

There were 'training sessions' for police, fire departments, SWAT teams and anti-terrorism units held in several parts of the city today. This is in the run-up, as mentioned above, to the China-South Asia Expo. A rundown of the security operations can be found here:
society.yunnan.cn/html/2013-05/25/content_2744413.htm

Mike's got it right. Official word out of the National Space Science and Applied Research Center says it was a rocket launch. Payload was apparently scientific equipment for studying the ionosphere. Pictures and a brief explanation here:
news.sohu.com/20130514/n375886301.shtml
Message boards have gone haywire with comments on everything from UFOs to anti-missile technology tests.

I saw it as well. Looked like it was putting out a ton of smoke and then just faded out. I'll look in the papers tomorrow morning and see if there is any information.