Chinese leaders Monday promised to make the 2010 World Expo the best ever if it is held in Shanghai.

The Chinese government will honour its commitments and the Chinese people are capable of making the 2010 World Expo the most successful, wonderful and unforgettable in history, said President Jiang Zemin.

He made the remarks during a meeting with a seven-member delegation headed by Carmen Sylvain, vice-president of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) and chairperson of the BIE Executive Committee.

Jiang's remarks were echoed by Premier Zhu Rongji, who told the delegation that the Chinese government will earnestly carry out the convention relating to international expositions.

The Chinese government will do its utmost to support the 2010 World Expo financially and guarantee it in Shanghai, Zhu was quoted as saying by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

It will also take all measures to ensure the safety of the participants and facilitate their entry into China, said Zhu, adding that China will provide favourable conditions for developing countries to take part in the event.

Sylvain, delighted at the nation's bid, said the Chinese government and people have done a great deal to assist the bid and promote public awareness of the World Exposition.

She also said that she realized the strong support given by the Chinese government to the hosting of the 2010 World Exposition, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

The Chinese government decided to make a bid in 1999 and submitted the application to BIE in May last year. Others committed to making a bid are Russia, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Argentina and Poland.

The BIE delegation -- which also included BIE President Gilles Noghes and Secretary-General V. G. Loscertales -- will spend the next five days in Shanghai for on-the-spot investigations.

They listened to presentations made by State Councillor Wu Yi and officials from Chinese Government departments and the city of Shanghai earlier Monday.

A World Expo in China will strengthen relations between the nation and the world and provide a forum for countries to seek common development and prosperity, said Wu, who heads the Chinese Committee working towards the bid for the 2010 World Expo.

She said it would provide opportunities for them to conduct trade and economic co-operation and scientific exchanges with China.

(China Daily March 12, 2002)