The triumph marked the extension of the global event to a developing country for the first time since its debut in 1851 and Shanghai is ready to add a unique touch to the grand occasion.

Though all with distinguished characteristics, Shanghai stands out among the five candidate cities with convincing advantages.

Bent on becoming an international economic, finance, trade and shipping center, 700-year-old Shanghai has amazed the world with breath-taking changes in its landscape, as well as economic might in recent years.

The city's edge lies in the firm support from the Chinese Government and people, its superior infrastructures and location and its appealing theme of "Better City, Better Life."

Nonetheless, the country's sustained rapid economic growth may be the most persuading reason behind the choice.

It is believed Shanghai will spearhead the country's advancement in the new century.

By translating into more opportunities for people in the region and beyond, a thriving Shanghai fits well the aim of the World Expo to promote the exchange of ideas and development worldwide.

The expo is widely regarded as the economic, science and technology Olympics.

The selection of Shanghai as the 2010 host bears full testimony to the prevailing confidence in the city.

In the wake of Beijing's successful bid to stage the 2008 Olympics, Shanghai's victory will further cement the country's modernization surge.

However, with so many people and businesses from home and abroad throwing their weight behind it, Shanghai faces a task of more far-reaching significance than making life better for its residents and rendering the expo a success.

Now, the country is enthusiastically shooting for quadrupling its 2000 gross domestic product and an overall well-off society by 2020.

As the locomotive of the Chinese economy, Shanghai is bound to attract more foreign investors and boost reforms of domestic enterprises with advanced international standards.

To this end, building Shanghai into a more open city should be listed atop the local government's agenda. The city should lead the country to further develop the economy, improve democracy, advance science and education, enrich culture, foster social harmony and upgrade the quality of life.

The successful bid for hosting the expo gives Shanghai a timely impetus.

The year of 2010 will be critical for the accomplishment of the country's new strategical goals.

To turn Shanghai into a world-class metropolis by then is crucial not only to the success of the event, but also the continuation of China's growth.

(China Daily December 4, 2002)