Interest strong for 2010 Shanghai World Expo: Mayor

PARIS -- The ongoing economic crisis continues to rattle the world but the troubles haven't dampened the world's interest in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the Shanghai mayor said June 2.

Mayor Han Zheng told a meeting of the International Exhibition Bureau that a record number of countries and international organizations have expressed growing enthusiasm for the expo, which opens May 1, 2010, and is expected to be the world's largest with up to 70 million visitors.

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The mayor said China will put on a memorable expo for the entire world to enjoy.

Hua Junduo, China's commissioner general for the expo, said 238 countries and organizations so far are confirmed exhibitors.

Jean-Pierre Lafon, president of the BIE, noted that the theme "Better City, Better Life" for the Shanghai Expo is appropriate as cities' population keep growing today.