China is doing an excellent job of preparing for the upcoming Shanghai Expo, says an Italian governmental supervisor for the event.

"I must say I am very impressed by the work China has done so far, especially in such a crucial moment when the final strategic logistic decisions are depended on visitors' access to the Expo," Beniamino Quintieri told Xinhua.

Quintieri recently returned from Shanghai where he was supervising construction of the Italian pavilion that will show the "Italian way of life" and made-in-Italy products.

The supervisor praised China's ground preparations for the opening of the event but appealed to organizers for more exhibition space.

"We have asked the Chinese organizers for more external areas to hold fashion, sport and music events which will attract the public attention to the Expo, but there is no enough space," Quintieri said.

The Expo, which runs from May 1 to October 31, was expected to attract 70 million visitors.

Quintieri brushed aside any terrorist attacks or protests at the Expo, saying if problems did occur, it would not be China's fault but that of those who "blew on fire" to indirectly harm Beijing.

"The 2008 Olympic in Beijing have proved to the world that China is able to organize such major events in the best way," he said. "I seriously hope that for the occasion of the Shanghai Expo no one will seek the negative aspects instead of focusing on the positive ones that characterize China,."

Quintieri voiced expectations that the Expo would have a positive outcome for China even greater than the 2008 Olympic Games. He said, though, that the outcome would not only depend on China but also on global public opinion to recognize China as a cultural power as well as an economic giant.

"Italy is one of the few countries will present a rich program both inside and outside our pavilion for the entire six months of the Expo to attract the Chinese public," he said

Quintieri said Italy aims to increase awareness of the country in China and Asia through the promotion of its culture and products at the Expo and also pave the way for the Universal Exposition in Milan in 2015.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2010)