Construction of Shanghai's "World Expo Village", a residential and office complex for staff of the 2010 World Expo has begun, local authorities said on Thursday.

Located in the northeast of the Expo Park's Pudong sector, the 30-hectare village is designed to accommodate 10,000 staff from participating countries and international organizations, said an official with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.

The first phase of construction will be completed by the end of 2008 and the entire project is expected to finish by the end of 2009, according to the bureau.

The village will provide accommodation, food, entertainment, and other services for staff members.

Scheduled to run from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010, the Shanghai Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors, The Aichi Expo held in Japan in 2005 had a record 22 million visitors.

Source: Xinhua