Hu Jintao (L front), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, shakes hands with workers and personnel who work for the construction of the Shanghai World Expo park in Shanghai, east China, January 15, 2010. Hu Jintao paid a visit here to inspect the preparation of Shanghai World Expo on January 15.  [Xinhua]

Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday called on the Chinese people to pool their strength and resources to make sure the Shanghai World Expo a success.

With just 106 days to go before the Expo opening on May 1, Hu visited the Expo site Friday during an inspection tour in Shanghai.

"Hosting the World Expo is not only a significant event of Shanghai, but also of the whole nation," he said, noting it was both the responsibility of Shanghai and the whole country to hold a successful Expo.

He urged Shanghai to make "all-out efforts" to efficiently complete the preparations and be a good host.

He asked central government departments and local governments to take initiative and make concerted efforts in supporting the event.

The Expo's organizing committee should enhance its leading role and supervision to push forward relevant preparatory work orderly, he said.

Hu put forward six requirements on the Expo's preparatory work:

- To ensure the Expo site's infrastructure building and exhibition arrangements be completed on time;

- To ensure sound service and logistics;

- Security should be fully guaranteed;

- Foreign affairs work, including receptions of international guests, must be well handled;

- To ensure efficient and effective publicity work;

- To create a civilized, happy and peaceful atmosphere.

Hu said though the Expo was a big challenge, he believed it would be a "successful, brilliant and memorable" event with the support of the Chinese people, especially the contributions of Shanghai officials and residents.

The Shanghai World Expo, which is expected to receive 70 million visitors, will last from May 1 to October 31.

So far, 35 of the 42 self-built foreign pavilions have started interior decoration and exhibition arrangement, and 11 joint pavilions have been completed.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)