To further promote World Expo 2010 Shanghai to African countries, the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination held a forum entitled "China-Africa Close Cooperation in Expo 2010 Shanghai" yesterday in Beijing with the assistance of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The aim of the forum was to attract more African countries to confirm their participation in the Expo and initiate detailed negotiations with the countries which have confirmed they will be taking part.

Since March last year, 35 African countries have confirmed their participation in World Expo 2010 Shanghai, making Africa the continent with most participating countries so far.

Yang Xiong, a member of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo National Organizing Committee and the city's vice mayor, said African countries showed much support towards China and their enthusiasm for the event demonstrated the global significance in Africa of the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life."

During his address, Yang said China and Africa had been expanding their cooperation rapidly in recent years, especially after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held last year.

"Shanghai, a city in the process to grow into an economic, trade, financial and shipping center, will play an active role in enhancing the China-Africa relationship," said Yang. "The World Expo 2010 Shanghai will provide a new cooperative platform."

Yang invited more African countries to participate in the World Expo 2010 and said he expected the confirmed countries to appoint a commissioner general as early as possible to start detailed negotiations.

More than 50 representatives from 30-plus African countries attended the forum. Hong Hao, the bureau's director general, chaired the meeting and Hua Junduo, commissioner general of World Expo 2010 Shanghai and Zhou Hanmin, the bureau's deputy director general, made speeches.

Under a commitment made by Chinese government, World Expo 2010 Shanghai will provide US$100-million in funds to aid developing countries in taking part in the Expo and 48 out of 53 African countries can apply for funding help.

The organizers will also provide free space in joint pavilions for developing countries. It is estimated that some 40 African countries will display their exhibits in such pavilions.