Chen Liangyu, Politburo Member of the CPC Central Committee, first Vice Chairperson of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Organizing Committee, and Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, met with Mr. V. G. Loscertales, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on July 6.

In his welcome address, Mr. Chen expressed his thanks to the BIE Secretary-General for his visit to Shanghai and for his guidance in the preparation for the Expo Shanghai. They also exchanged views on how to make better preparations for the Expo 2010 Shanghai. Mr. Chen told his guests that it is the common wish and aspiration of the Chinese people as well as Shanghai citizens to make the Expo 2010 World a splendid, successful and unforgettable gala, and for this, it brooks no failure.

He said Shanghai is now making every effort in pushing forward the preparation for the World Expo under the leadership of the Chinese central government and with the support from the whole country, adding that the city has formulated detailed plans for a full-scale preparation for the Expo 2010, working out the contents and the timings of 96 types of tasks. The city will also work hard to bolster its software capacity while pressing ahead with the“hardware”construction, with an aim to enhance the quality of its citizens and to make the city more civilized through civilization-boosting measures in preparing for the Expo.

Mr. Chen said the Expo Shanghai, in its elaboration of the“Better City, Better Life”theme, will not only showcase the Chinese civilization and the global civilization, but also display the latest development and achievement in technological innovations. He added that Shanghai will listen to the opinions and suggestions from the BIE carefully, and will go to great lengths to make better preparations for the World Expo. He also said that he would welcome any valuable suggestion from Mr. Loscertales.

Mr. Loscertales said he was greatly pleased to visit Shanghai once again, hoping that the preparation for the Expo Shanghai will be progressing smoothly under the joint efforts of the both parties.

In addition, more than 40 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Expo Shanghai since the country issued its invitations in March this year.

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, Ms. Zhong Yanqun, Standing Deputy Director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, and Mr. Hua Junduo, Member of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Organizing Committee, Commissioner General for Shanghai Expo, were also present at the meeting.