Chinese leader Hu Jintao officially announced the opening of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai on Friday.
"I pronounce the Expo-2010 in Shanghai as open," Hu Jintao told 8,000 people at the official opening ceremony at the Expo Cultural Center.
The 2010 World Expo will be held in Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Up to 70 million people are expected to visit the city for the event, which has seen investment of up to $4 billion.
The opening ceremony began with a performance of a song dedicated to the Expo-2010 by Chinese Hollywood star Jackie Chan.
The two hour ceremony ended with fireworks, allegedly more spectacular than those set off during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
The opening ceremony was attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the presidents of Armenia and Malta and representatives from many other countries. Russia was represented by Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko.
More than 190 countries will participate in Expo and 49 have constructed their own pavilions.
Russia constructed a pavilion at the exhibition for the first time in 30 years. The sun-shaped pavilion comprises 12 white-and-gold towers symbolizing the 12 months of the year, and occupies an area of 6,000 square meters. It will showcase Russia's recent scientific and economic development and offer a diverse cultural program.
SHANGHAI, April 30 (RIA Novosti)
