As the China 2010 World Expo began Friday night, many Cambodians were watching live television broadcasting from Shanghai and expressed their enthusiasm by saying the Expo and celebration was "Amazing".

Chea Racmoon, 24, a third year student of journalism school at Royal University of Phnom Penh said that she was watching live television broadcast with her whole family including her parents, and that she said "it was really amazing." "China is taking this opportunity to tell the world through the media of its country's development and the need of cooperation of all nations around the world," she said. "I am happy to see China trying to get involved with many countries from across the continents through the participation of artists from different cultures around the globe," she added.

In a separate interview on Friday night in Phnom Penh, Chea Sokha, 63, said he was joyful to watch the opening of the World Expo in Shanghai, China with which he was really appreciative to the great preparation with great performance that he has ever seen before. "I think, China, is the best so far in spending so much money with great artistic performance," he said, and added "it is unlikely that other countries would be able to do the same thing as that of China."

He was referring to the lavish riverside display and launching of fireworks, fountains and laser lights that even more extraordinary than the Beijing Olympic in 2008.

The Expo is set to publicly open on Saturday and as many as 70 million people from around the globe are expected to see and visit the site over the six months period.

Van Thoeun, 45, said he would be more amazed to be in Shanghai for the display.

"I don't know how much I would be more enjoyed by the display if I were in Shanghai by this time," he said. "Through the display, I can imagine how strong China is for today," he added.

"Cambodians who have watched the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China on Friday night were greatly excited and impressed," local reporters said.

Ek Tha, deputy director for press department of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said that "I wished I was at the Expo Park so that I could see them all in Shanghai."

Performance, lighting showing and fireworks staged for opening ceremony of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

A number of world leaders were invited to join the opening ceremony including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. "This is more than just the World Expo itself but also brings the world to see and learn more about China on what are the key factors brought China to become a world's economic power," he said. "The stronger China's economic growth the greater positive contribution to this Asian region," said Ek Tha, who has half- Chinese blood. "The Shanghai World Expo will also attract more investments from not only in the region, but also the west."

Keo Remy, secretary of state of the Office of the Council of Ministers, said that "China is sending message to the whole world that China did not suffer from the global downturn." "Every country was hit hard by the economic crisis, but at the same time China still enjoyed high economic growth, I think," Keo Remy told Xinhua.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2010)