Zhou Yupeng, vice-mayor of China's largest commercial metropolis Shanghai, vowed in Nagoya on Sunday to exert full efforts in hosting the 2010 World Exposition.

Zhou made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Chinese Pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition in central Japan's Aichi Prefecture, which ended Sunday after its six-month run since March 25.

The vice mayor took over the expo flag at the closing ceremony of the Aichi Expo earlier in the afternoon. "Shanghai as host of the next World Expo aims to develop international communications through the event," he said, expressing warm welcome to friends from all over the world.

Statistics from the expo organizer show that Chinese Pavilion received a total of 5.66 million visits over the past 185 days, accounting for the first among foreign pavilions at the expo.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi delivered graduation to the success of the Chinese Pavilion, saying it not only spreads ancient Chinese culture but also displays Chinese people's spirits in new era.

The ambassador also granted awards to a number of Chinese and Japanese media for their efforts in publicity of the pavilion.

Source: Xinhua