Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, met Mr. Loscertales, BIE Secretary General, in municipal committee distinguished guestroom in July 23.

Han Zheng welcomed the distinguished guest and said he came again at the most critical and important time in the preparation of Expo 2010 Shanghai. He expressed his gratitude to Mr. Loscertales for his guidance and support to the preparatory works of Expo Shanghai as always. He said that under the guidance of the National Organizing Committee and the Executive Committee, all preparatory works of Expo 2010 Shanghai are under orderly progress according to schedule.

Han Zheng said that the Beijing Olympic Game will open in 16 days and Shanghai as one of the hosting cities of Olympic soccer games is fully ready for the matches. The mayor expressed that the holding of part of Olympic Game was a rehearsal to Shanghai's ability in social organization, public service and public management, as well as a trial to the hosting of Expo Shanghai in 2010. Han Zheng said that with the approaching of Expo Shanghai, the pressure of time was imminently felt and preparatory works would be expedited including participant contract signing and pavilion building. And continuous guidance and support from BIE was urgently expected.

Mr. Loscertales thanked for the hospitality of Shanghai people and said that the preparatory works of Expo Shanghai was carried out smoothly and had entered into critical moment. So far the numbers of country or international organization participants confirmed in Expo 2010 Shanghai has broken the world record, so was the workload to the host. The Secretary General hoped that in the future Shanghai would further improve communication with international participants and keep promoting preparatory works.