Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with foreign guests from Greece and Chile on separate occasions on Friday ahead of the 2010 World Expo opening in Shanghai.

Greek Deputy Primer Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Chile former President Michelle Bachelet Jeria arrived in Shanghai to attend the opening ceremony of the Expo in the evening.

During the meeting with Pangalos, Li thanked the Greek government for sending condolences to the victims in the April 14 earthquake in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Li said he hoped Greece would showcase its historic glory, modern achievements and future aspirations at the Expo.

Pangalos conveyed the wishes of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to the Chinese government and its people. Papandreou failed to attend the opening ceremony due to serious economic conditions in Greece.

During the meeting with Bachelet, Li said Bachelet had made great contributions in promoting bilateral ties of the two countries as well as Chile's participation in the Expo.

Li also recalled Bachelet's visit as then Chile president to the Chile Pavilion last year.

Bachelet thanked China's invitation and wished the Expo a complete success.

The six-month event, for the first time held in a developing country, is expected to attract 70 million visitors from home and abroad.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2010)