Spectacular fireworks explode over the Huangpu River during the opening ceremony for the 2010 World Expo held in Shanghai, east China, April 30, 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Ming)
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- With fireworks lighting up the night's sky and electrifying the city, the six-month 2010 Shanghai World Expo opened Friday night to music and dances in a 90-minute inauguration ceremony.
It was destined to be a moment crowded with glamour and splendor when China's metropolis of Shanghai was chosen to host the 41st World Expo almost eight years ago.
A total of 189 countries and 57 international organizations are participating in the event, the biggest number in the history of the exhibition.
Some 20 world leaders were present at the opening ceremony, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak.
Addressing the ceremony, the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) President Jean-Pierre Lafon said "Better City, Better Life", the chosen theme of the exhibition, must drive people to improve the quality of life for the citizens of both developing and developed countries as the majority of the world's population now lives in cities.
He hoped the Shanghai Expo would contribute to a social awakening so cities might become more sustainable, safer and more harmonious, adding that he wished the event a success.
Following Hu's official opening of the eagerly anticipated event, performances by China's famous pianist Lang lang, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and many other Chinese and international celebrities embraced the warmth of the audience present and those watching on TV around the world.
A boy and a girl orphaned in an earthquake that shook Yushu county in China's northwest Qinghai Province two weeks ago also featured, wearing traditional Tibetan costumes, when the indoor show came to close in the Expo cultural center on the eastern bank of the Huangpu River.
The ceremony launched a half-year opportunity for all participating nations and institutions to show their best to the world.
The fairy tale nation of Denmark brought
Poland's presentation will focus on the economy and tries to show its image as a modern country, member of the European Union with good prospects of economic development, according to the Polska Times.
France, whose president is the first among the world leaders to come to China for the World Expo, has decorated its pavilion with famous impressionist paintings and Rodin sculptures.
French television BFM and iTele live broadcast the opening ceremony.
BFM's reporter at the scene called the event another festival following the Beijing Olympic Games, as the active participation of countries across the world made it global.
Fireworks and lighting show
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