Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan were appointed promotion ambassadors for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, on April 30, 2009. [expo2010.cn]

Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan and NBA star Yao Ming were appointed promotion ambassadors for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo on Thursday.

"I will spare no efforts to pay close attention to the Expo and help promote it throughout the world," said Jackie Chan at a performance for residents relocated from the Expo site.

"Like every Chinese citizen, I am looking forward to the event," he said.

Yao Ming was quoted by the website as saying that as a native of Shanghai, he has always hoped that he could contribute to the event.

"I want to tell everyone: welcome to my hometown, Shanghai, and welcome to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo," he said.

Also appointed was Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

The Expo ambassadors already include Japanese table tennis star Ai Fukuhara, Japanese image designer Junko Koshino and British singer Sarah Brightman.

The Expo is expected to attracted 70 million visitors, 5 percent of them from abroad.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2009)