With the number of international participants in World Expo 2010 Shanghai China reaching 100 since work started nine months ago, the invitation process is on-track and proceeding smoothly.

Within a short period of nine months, more than 100 nations and international organizations have confirmed their participation in World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, a rarity in the history of World Expositions.

The active response to World Expo 2010 Shanghai China from the international community is firstly attributed to the all-round enhancement of the comprehensive competence of China and her full-scaled diplomatic effort. An increasing number of nations and international organizations consider participating in this grand event as an important opportunity to strengthen exchange and cooperation with China. Secondly, it is also the embodiment of the support from the Central Government and the Chinese people at large. The Chinese Government has attached great importance to the invitation for participation in Shanghai Expo. President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have directly promoted the event at the highest level by way of different diplomatic channels, contributing to confirmation of many nations and the participation of international organizations. The Shanghai Expo Organizing Committee, consisting of 26 members from the ministries and departments of the Central Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government, has especially set up a "4+1" mechanism for the invitation of international participants. This working mechanism made up of members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and Shanghai Municipal Government is playing an important role in unified planning, unified management and unified implementation regarding the invitation of international participants.

Under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese ambassadors and general consuls in foreign countries have taken the leading role in instructing the work regarding the special archives, and arranging the designated personnel to carry out direct contact with the potential participants regarding confirmation and participation affairs; another important guarantee for the success of the invitation process. In line with the practice of previous World Expositions, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade has also provided great help by drafting the Invitation Letter to Official Participants in World Expo Shanghai China 2010. It has organized a special team to study the countries which have no diplomatic relations with China, their status regarding participation in the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE) and previous Expositions. The Council has also defined the objectives, targets, principles, key points and work plans oriented towards the 24 countries which have not established diplomatic relations with China. The Council has also completed a draft Working Plan for Inviting Countries Without Diplomatic Relations with China to Participate in World Expo Shanghai China 2010.

Another important reason for the great achievement in the invitation process for international participants is the theme of Expo Shanghai,"Better City, Better Life", an international theme appropriate to the current times, which has aroused great response from the international community. Shanghai, the driving force in the course of opening up and reforms in China, is attracting people from around the world with its splendors.

Confirmation of more than 100 participants in Expo Shanghai within 9 months is an exciting achievement. With 2007 approaching, the Shanghai Expo organizers and hosts will further strengthen their work. It is reported that the invitation for Best Urban Practices Region and enterprise participation will be launched in 2007 as planned.

Let's look forward to further splendid accomplishments in the futurei.