Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday hailed the World Expo as a grand occasion to share joy and friendship and to bridge China and the world.

Hu hosted a welcoming dinner for foreign dignitaries who would attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Expo on Friday evening.

Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing shook hands with visiting foreign guests before the dinner.

"The World Expo is a grand event to showcase the best achievements of human civilization. It is also a great occasion for people from around the world to share joy and friendship," said the president.

As the first registered World Expo hosted by a developing country, the Shanghai Expo will be an opportunity for China and also for the world, he said.

On this Expo, China will present to the world a country with 5,000-year history, which is enjoying fast development and changes through reform and opening-up, he said.

The Expo will serve as a bridge for China to learn the good practice of other countries and engage in exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2010)