Shanghai will be the centre of world attention through its hosting of World Expo 2010, Jose Socrates, the Prime Minister of Portugal, said during a visit to the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination on February 2.

Zhong Yanqun, standing deputy director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, and Hua Junduo, Commossioner General of the Chinese Government for Shanghai World Expo, met with Socrates and his delegation and told them about the city's preparations for the Expo.

Zhong and Hua first escorted Socrates and the delegation to the top floor of the Expo bureau building where they had a complete view of the Expo site.

In the meeting afterwards, Zhong said he was confident Portugal would present an excellent national pavilion at the World Expo, one that well interpreted the Expo theme of "Better City, Better Life."

Zhong said he hoped Portugal would share its experience of hosting the EXPO'98 Lisboa to help Shanghai unveil its own successful, exciting and unforgettable World Expo 2010.

Socrates said he understood the difficulties in preparing for the Expo and he wished Shanghai great success with the event as he inscribed the Expo guest book.

After the meeting, Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, accompanied the Portuguese delegation to a view of a model exhibition of the Expo sites.