Thirty-seven academics discussed World Expo 2010 yesterday in Shanghai at a forum organized by two Chinese academies.

The Chinese Academy of Engineering and China Academy of Sciences' scholars talked about the Expo exhibits.

Xiang Haifan, an academic from CAE, listed a bunch of modern inventions of the Chinese people. He said the organisers have many choices and can select the exhibits after making a list of candidates.

Wen Shilie, also a scientist with CAE, said the Expo is different from common exhibitions because its objective is not just exhibits but the whole city.

Some scholars said the Expo can be used to tell people how to make cities better.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, and Shou Ziqi, deputy director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, also introduced the latest progress in Shanghai Expo preparations at the forum.