Xi Jinping, Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, met Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of International Expositions Bureau in Shanghai on April 26.

Xi extended a warm welcome on behalf of the municipal government and thanked Loscertales for his sincere help in the preparation of the World Expo 2010.

Xi said Chinese government attached great importance to the Expo and Shanghai also put it in an important place.

"The preparation work has entered a crucial phase. We are now concentrating on the theme development, attracting participants and construction of the Expo Site," said Xi.

"We are confident to host a successful, splendid and unforgettable Expo under the direction of central government and BIE."

Loscertales praised the preparation work of the Expo. He said BIE would enhance the cooperation with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and give the organizers supports and helps.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong, Zhong Yanqun, Standing Deputy Director of the Shanghai Expo Executive Committee and Hua Junduo, commissioner general for Shanghai Expo attended the meeting.