According to statistics from the organizing committee, 192 countries and 52 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the global exhibition that traditionally showcases the latest worldwide advances in architecture, engineering and technologies.

Offering the largest-ever exhibiting area of 5.28 sq. km in the World Expo history, the Shanghai Expo is expecting a record 70 million visitors from home and abroad during the exhibition period from May 1 to Oct. 31.

To smooth foreigners' visits to the Shanghai Expo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has notified the country's embassies and consulates to adopt an easy visa policy during the Expo period.

Wan said a total of 550,000 hotel beds would be available inside Shanghai and extra Expo visitors to the metropolis would be found accommodations in hotels in nearby cities.

Wan said trial operation activities are to be held at the end of April to check up exhibition pavilions, security and volunteer arrangements, visitor services and logistics for the Expo.