"The work of attracting international exhibits to the Shanghai World Expo is going smoothly. As of March 12, 105 nations and 15 international organizations had confirmed their attendance at the 2010 exhibition," said Wang Jinzhen, a member of the Shanghai World Expo Organization Committee and the vice president of the China Trade Promotion Committee.

On March 13, the Organizing Committee of the Shanghai World Expo met in Beijing to discuss preparations for the event. It was reported that many countries and international organizations have begun preparing for the exhibition and are hoping to "give a splendid performance at the expo". As of February 2, 2007, 14 countries and organizations had appointed their chief representatives, and many countries have established special agencies for the expo. Twenty-four nations have sent delegations to Shanghai for a field investigation. V.Gonz lez Loscertales, Secretary-General of the International Bureau of Expositions said that given the hugely positive and prompt response the Shanghai World Expo has received, it is already a success.

The goal in 2007 is to attract more international organizations, as well as countries without diplomatic ties with China to the Expo. "We will try hard to get 170 countries and international organizations to confirm their presence," said Zhou Yonglei, Vice Director of the Coordination Bureau for the Shanghai World Expo Affairs. He also said that "at present, preparatory work for the display of the expo theme, construction projects, relocation and legal protection is underway and going fairly well."

The total budget for the expo is 28.6 billion yuan, part of which has been invested by the government. The rest will be raised through marketing campaigns.

The Shanghai World Expo will be held from May 1 to October 31 in 2010, lasting 184 days. Over 20,000 activities will run during the expo and it's expected that 70,000,000 people will visit. It is estimated that more than 200 nations and international organizations will partake in the Expo.

By People's Daily Online