Hu Jintao (L front), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with workers and personnel who work for the construction of the Shanghai World Expo park in Shanghai on January 15. Hu Jintao paid a visit here to inspect the preparation of Shanghai World Expo.

President Hu Jintao called on the Chinese people to pool their strength and resources to ensure the Shanghai World Expo is a success on January 15.

With just 106 days to go before the World Expo opening on May 1, Hu visited the Expo site during an inspection tour in Shanghai.

"Hosting the World Expo is not only a significant event for Shanghai, but also for the whole nation," he said, noting it was both the responsibility of Shanghai and the whole country to hold a successful Expo.

He urged Shanghai to make "all-out efforts" to efficiently complete the preparations and be a good host.

He asked central government departments and local governments to take initiative and make concerted efforts in supporting the event.

The organizing committee should use its lead role to push forward on key points of preparation, he said.

Hu put forward six requirements for the Expo's preparatory work:

To ensure the Expo's infrastructure building and exhibition arrangements are completed on time;

To ensure sound service and logistics;

To fully guarantee security;

To do a good job of foreign affairs work, including receptions of international guests;

To ensure efficient and effective publicity work; and to create a civilized, happy and peaceful atmosphere.

Hu said though the Expo was a big challenge, he believed it would be a "successful, brilliant and memorable" event with the support of the Chinese people, especially the contributions of Shanghai officials and residents.

The Expo, which is expected to receive 70 million visitors, will last from May 1 to October 31.

So far, 35 of the 42 self-built foreign pavilions have started interior decoration and exhibition arrangement, and 11 joint pavilions have been completed, according to the organizing committee.

(Xinhua January 16, 2010)