FINAL STRETCH: The UN's Shanghai World Expo Pavilion, showcasing the theme of One Earth, One UN, begins final preparations on January 23, 2010. The UN will show how it promotes world peace and development as well as how it meets challenges and opportunities arising with urbanization (REN LONG)

Countries participating in the Shanghai World Expo, a six-month gala that begins in less than 100 days, say that they are all ready for the event.

The event, with the theme of "Better City—Better Life," will be held from May 1 to October 31 on a 5.28-square-km site. Organizers expect around 70 million visitors to attend the Expo, in which more than 220 countries and international organizations have confirmed they will participate.

The French Exhibition Bureau (FEB) held a promotional meeting in Paris on January 20 to unveil that country's preparations. FEB President Jose Freches said China has shown excellent organizational abilities by helping France during its preparations. France is in the final stretch for the Expo, Freches said, and the promotional meeting was held not only for the French Pavilion but also for the Expo as a whole.

The President of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), Jean-Pierre Lafon, also applauded China's efforts, saying BIE was pleased that it had chosen Shanghai as the host city.

The Expo, regarded as a get-together of cities, provides a wonderful global platform for exchanging different experiences in city planning and development, Lafon said.

World-renowned fashion designer Pierre Cardin was also present. The designer said he had sensed that China would become a strong force when he began his adventure there in 1976, a feeling that has now become reality.

Cardin, who was invited to participate in the Expo along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said the event would help those who have little knowledge about China comprehend its great contributions to the world.

France's pavilion will show various French artistic styles—from modern art like Homage to Mornet by French Chinese painter Zao Wou-Ki to classic works by French artists from the 19th century.

Freches, who is also the 2010 president of the French Pavilion, confirmed on January 29 to Shanghai newspaper Wen Hui Bao that the list of world-renowned French works of art to be exhibited at the pavilion has been finalized. Art to be shown includes six paintings and one sculpture by the legendary Jean-Francois Millet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Edouard Manet, Pierre Bonnard, Paul Gauguin and Auguste Rodin. The paper said every piece is worth more than 100 million euro and will be shipped to Shanghai on a chartered plane.

French actor Alain Delon, an ambassador for the French Pavilion, said he is honored to have been selected for the job and he would like to learn more about Chinese culture.

French sponsors, designers and celebrities also expressed their wishes for and confidence in a successful exhibition.

France has hosted seven world expos since the first one in 1855. It holds the record for holding the greatest number of expos and is among the first to have confirmed its participation in Shanghai's event.

On January 21, which marked the 100-day countdown, the Thai Pavilion became the first to launch its Expo website. Web surfers can get a sneak peek at the pavilion's style and exhibits. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security recently signed contracts with food suppliers who will provide authentic Thai cuisine for pavilion visitors.

Building and decorating the Russian Pavilion and its surrounding 12 towers has kept on schedule, said Vladimir Strashko, Commissioner General of the Russian section of the Expo, during a recent visit to Shanghai to inspect the site's progress. He also said that a Russian leader along with renowned Russian scientists and artists will meet visitors at the country's pavilion during the country's National Day on September 28. Strashko said his country's pavilion cost $40 million and financing it met no difficulties despite the financial crisis.

According to Wen Hui Bao's February 2 report, about 85 percent of the funds needed to build the U.S. Pavilion had been raised. Officials expect it to be completed in March and open to the public in April.