Shanghai Expo Promises  'Surprise'

Visitors to the upcoming Shanghai World Expo should expect a "surprising" show as China's economic hub, Shanghai, is gearing up its final preparations for the world-class event, an organizing official said Monday.

Wan Jifei, executive director of the Shanghai World Expo Executive Committee, made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body.

Wan, also member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, said the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo, slated for May 1, would be staged on the Huangpu River, which will be dotted with fireworks show and laser performance.

"Though it can't be compared to the scale of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008," Wan said, "I believe it will give us excitement."

Wan refused to provide further details of the ceremony but said other exhibits at the Expo would also surprise viewers.