The mascot for 2010 World Expo is to be unveiled on Dec. 18 after a worldwide search for designs, the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination announced on Wednesday.

Hu Jinjun, deputy-director of the bureau, said Shanghai would hold a gala to unveil the mascot, which will be broadcast live on TV, radio and the Internet.

Shanghai has been soliciting designs for the mascot since January, and received 26,655 proposals from 24 countries and regions by May 31.

The World Expo, held every five years, will be held in Shanghai from May 1 to Oct. 31 in 2010 with the theme "Better City, Better Life."

The mascots for last World Expo held in Aichi, Japan, in 2005 were two forest elves: a knowledgeable grandpa Morizo and a curious grandson Kiccoro.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2007)