In his letter, Jiang points out that the World Expo is the child of human being's social development, and will play positive role in strengthening economic, sci-tech, social and cultural exchanges and cooperation among countries around the world and promoting the cause of world peace and development.

China, a rapidly developing country with a population of 1.3 billion and civilization of long history, is desired to host the World Expo 2010, he said. "Shanghai city, under the support of the Chinese central government and Chinese people, will exert more efforts and has the confidence in hosting a high-level and excellent World Expo 2010."

"The Chinese government promises to make all-out efforts to apply for the hosting of the 2010 World Expo", Premier Zhu says in his letter. "Chinese government and relevant organizations will abide by rules stipulated in the Convention on International Exhibitions".

China is the first country to formally submit the report for applying for the host of the World Expo 2010. Other five cities, namely Moscow, the Mexico city, Buenos Aires, Wroclow (Poland), Yeoso (South Korea), had presented their candidatures for the universal event.

The 88 member states of the BIE will vote in December 2002 to decide the host city of the World Expo 2010.

(People's Daily January 31, 2002)