"Next year will be a milestone for the preparation of the Expo 2010 Shanghai China. All the preparatory works must be sped up in full swing, which is the general requirement for preparation of World Expo next year,"Han Zheng, Vice Chairperson of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Organizing Committee, Acting Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Mayor of Shanghai, pointed out in the fourth meeting of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee on December 2. The preparation work for World Expo Shanghai has entered the key stage for all round speed-up. Great attention will be paid to the following three aspects:

Firstly, enhance the infrastructure and venue construction work. The relocation for World Expo site will be completed next year, the infrastructure within and outside the World Expo Park will also be sped up with the major venue construction launched. During the construction, great importance will be attached to protect the historical constructions within the World Expo Park to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the city. In addition, efforts will be made to host the World Expo in a cost efficient and scientific way.

Secondly, take efforts to embody the Expo

themes, realize the substantial breakthrough as soon as possible, complete the presentation plans regarding the Pavilion of China, theme pavilions, the World Expo Museum, and the Best Urban Practice Zone, and launch the first round exhibition planning.

Thirdly, continue to carry out participation affairs, invite the international participants, and reach the target of 200 participating nations and international organizations in a swift manner. In addition, carry out preparation for follow-up services for participants, and improve the exhibition quality.

Mr. Wan Jifei pointed it out in his speech that this year is the first year for the concrete preparation of the World Expo Shanghai, and the Organizing Committee and Executive Committee have completed a great deal of fruitful work in an orderly manner. We need to make persistent efforts to carry out planning and preparation in 2007 by making full use of the wisdom from all works of life, focus on the theme development while starting the proposal design of the Pavilion of China and theme pavilions, compile the guiding directives such as Special Rules according to the requirements of the Organizing Committee and the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE), promote the invitation for international participants and organize the domestic participants so as to complete the honorable and holy mission entrusted by the Chinese Government and the Communist Party to host the World Expo Shanghai.

Mr. Yang Xiong, Member of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Organizing Committee, Executive Deputy Director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, Vice-mayor of Shanghai, gave detailed instructions on key work for preparation of the World Expo Shanghai which focuses on theme development, participation affairs and park construction. The theme development will be further deepened while the participation affairs will be carried out in full swing and the construction of venues and infrastructure within and outside the Expo Park facilitated. The other key aspects also include market development and prophase preparation for operation of the World Expo, extensive advertisement and promotion, construction of information-based World Expo, scientific and technological Expo contents and assuring organization.

Ms. Zhong Yanquan, Standing Deputy Director of Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, reported on the preparatory work for the World Expo Shanghai in 2006, while Ms. Wang Jinzhen, Secretary-General of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade also expounded on Participation Plans of Chinese Provinces.

The related responsible persons with the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau gave respective reports on Promotion Plan for Participating Enterprises in World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Mandatory Insurance Plan for World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Guidelines for Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, and Communication and Promotion Plan for World Expo 2010 Shanghai China.