Zhou Hanmin (right) presents a souvenir to Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Philippine consul general in Shanghai.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, today met with a delegation led by Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Philippine consul general in Shanghai.

Zhou extended a warm welcome to the delegation. Zhou said, as Shanghai will welcome more than 70 million visitors in 2010, the city is constructing large-scale infrastructure projects.

Shanghai is expanding the length of its Metro network to cover more than 400 kilometers by 2010, up from 230km at the end of this year. The two international airports, Hongqiao and Pudong, will also complete their expansion before 2010.

Zhou said the 5.28-square-kilometer Expo Site is expected to hold pavilions for more than 200 countries and international organisations as well as 16 company pavilions and an Urban Best Practices Area, which is one of the highlights of the Expo.

Zhou said he hopes that the Philippines could confirm the location and form of its pavilion soon. After that, the two parties could start the contract negotiation.

Sanchez thanked the organizers for their support in helping them to put up the exhibition, and said they will get feedback from their government as soon as possible.