Shanghai mayor: Expo preparation well on track

Preparation for the 2010 World Expo is proceeding in a "powerful, orderly and effective" manner, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng told the 7th World Expo International Forum?on November 12?in Beijing.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng delivers a speech at the 7th World Expo International Forum. [en.expo2010]

The outfitting of the more than 200 pavilions at the Shanghai Expo will be finished by March, with 20 self-built pavilions finished within the year, he said.

A total of 37 rented pavilions out of 42 have already been completed and all 11 joint pavilions have been finished.

Revamps and face-lifts on several roads, bridges, sluice gates, cross-river tunnels, subways, ferries and transit hubs have already been completed, he said.

Expo Shanghai Online has attracted the participation of 217 countries and international organizers and 40 Urban Best Practices Area cases.

To date, 200 countries and international organizations have submitted plans for their national days' celebrations.

Expo-themed promotions have reached more than 20 countries such as the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain, and were warmly welcomed, he said.

More than eight million tickets have been sold and 440,000 people have applied to be volunteers, according to Han.

"We are confident that under the leadership of the central government and support from the international community and Chinese people, the Expo will certainly be a successful, splendid and unforgettable event," Han said.