CRI听力: Shanghai Expo Officially Opens

The Shanghai World Expo officially opened on Friday night. Chinese President Hu Jintao and leaders of various countries and organizations attended the ceremony.

Chen Zhe has more.

Chinese President Hu Jintao declared the opening of the Shanghai World Expo at a ceremony in the Expo Culture Center.

"I declare the 2010 Shanghai Expo now open."

The two-hour opening ceremony included a fireworks display and fountain performance as part of a grand gala that featured singing and dancing by artists from all over the world.

Among the spectators, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak were in attendance along with other world leaders, including Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The Shanghai World Expo, carrying the theme of "Better City, Better Life," will lead to new lifestyles and promote harmony between men and nature as well as the overall development of human beings.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan told the audience at the opening ceremony that the Expo would usher in new ways of life for people.

"The event will serve as a platform for people worldwide to innovate, cooperate and communicate. It will open the door to future cities, help boost the construction of peaceful, civilized and happy cities, and promote the all-round development of mankind."

It was the first time for the 159-year-old World Expo to be held in a developing country since the inaugural fair in London in 1851.

China has been preparing for the event since Shanghai won its bid to host the World Expo 2010 eight years ago. It is another grand event for the country after the successful Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The six-month Expo will be the largest world exhibition ever and is expected to attract 70 million visitors from both home and abroad.

For CRI, I'm Chen Zhe.