An Australian delegation led by John Brumby, the treasurer of the state of Victoria and minister for State and Regional Development, visited the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination this morning.

Chen Xianjin, deputy director of the bureau, met with delegation members and briefed them the latest progress of preparations for the World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

The members of the delegation showed great interest in Urban Best Practices Area (UPBA).

"Australia is home to many beautiful and characteristic cities. There is Sydney, of course, and Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide...Can they be presented as a whole at the competition of UPBA?" members asked.

Chen welcomed such innovative suggestions and expected Australia to display its best achievements in architecture, infrastructure, environmental protection and traffic at the Expo.

Later, Brumby and other members visited the Expo mansion. The antique items preserved in the Expo Exhibition Hall, such as valves and docks, reminded them that the area used to be a location of many old factories.

Brumby rang the bell at the top floor of the Expo mansion to wish for the success of the World Expo and promised to take an active part in the event.