The national flag of the People's Republic of China was hoisted and the national anthem played Friday evening at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China's financial hub.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior officials as well as foreign leaders attended the ceremony.

The Expo is scheduled to last for six months from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2010)