China has signed a cooperation agreement on environmental protection with Italy, which will see the European country provide expertise for Shanghai's 2010 World Exposition.

The projects in the agreement include an environmental supervisory system for controlling waste emissions and reducing the greenhouse effect on the environment.

The agreement will be funded by the Italian government, World Bank and the Global Environment Fund.

Shanghai was granted the right to host the 2010 World Exposition by the Bureau of International Expositions in December 2002.

This is the first time a developing country will host the event.

(CRI September 8, 2004)