The Shanghai World Expo 2010 is around the corner.

After eight years of construction and decoration, Shanghai, China's largest city and one of the country's financial and cultural hubs, is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world.

The perfect combination of modern facilities with Shanghai's unique style indicates that the Expo will be a spectacular, successful, and memorable event.

Pavilion construction is almost complete and each part of the Expo site is running trial operations.

Expo 2010 will be a grand international gathering. But what does it mean for ordinary people living in Shanghai?

I am new here in Shanghai. I bought my first apartment near the Expo Park. Subway Line 6 and the Middle Ring Road have already been put into service ahead of the Expo. Now it is much easier for me to get to work and go on business trips. My baby was born this year. I hope my life will become better and better.

Zhong Na, purchasing manager in a foreign enterprise

I have lived in Shanghai for 10 years, since my first year in college. I am very happy to see the World Expo open here. As my second hometown, Shanghai will use this opportunity to present itself to the whole world. I believe that everyone must be very interested in the development of China, but not everybody gets the chance to witness or experience it. Thus, the Expo can be seen as a platform.

My hometown is near Shanghai, where locals don't have many chances to go abroad. The Shanghai Expo can also present the world to people in China. And it can tell us what China and Shanghai will look like in the future.

Mao Zhongyuan, journalist at Shanghai-based Tiantian Daily

The Shanghai World Expo is coming up. First, I'd like to welcome everyone to Shanghai. As a journalist, when talking about the changes brought by the Expo, my strongest feeling comes from the humane aspect, which is more than modern facilities. For example, more people smile as they walk down the street. Though their pace is still very fast, there is more harmony and tolerance among locals.

On behalf of the media staff in Shanghai, I'd like to make a commitment: The Shanghai World Expo is more than the best facilities, such as beautiful buildings and amazing lighting. More importantly, locals will bring their passion and offer their best service to greet visitors. I believe this is the biggest change the Expo has brought to Shanghai.

Jin Bo, Chairman of Dragon Culture Investment Co. Ltd.

I am really looking forward to seeing the Expo push forward the city's development. Many foreign visitors will come to Shanghai over the next six months. This will have a big influence on Shanghai's city construction and the lives of locals.

I hope that through this event, Shanghai can live up to the Expo's theme of "Better City, Better Life" not only in terms of the Expo Site construction.

I have lived in Shanghai for years. It used to be a very crowded place in terms of living conditions and city construction. But thanks to the Expo, public transportation and cultural facilities have improved a lot, which benefits locals.

Yu Qiang, member of the Chinese Writers Association

I visited the Taejon Expo in the Republic of Korea in 1993 and the Aichi Expo in Japan in 2005. While visiting there, I thought wouldn't it be wonderful if China had the chance to hold a World Expo. Now my dream has come true.

The Shanghai World Expo is an opportunity to show the essence of Chinese culture and the country's new image since the implementation of the reform and opening up policy in 1978.

I think the theme "Better City, Better Life" has been explained by the Expo Park very well. Hot topics such as environmental protection, energy conservation, and harmony between man and nature will open a new vista into the future and strengthen human beings' confidence. I wish the Expo success.