--Toast by Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, at the Welcoming Dinner for Expo 2010 Shanghai on April 30

The grand opening of Expo 2010 Shanghai, China, is being held this evening. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests who have come to Shanghai for this event. I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the governments and people of all countries for the sincere help and strong support they have given to the Shanghai Expo. My thanks also go to the International Exhibitions Bureau (IEB) and other international organizations and to all the friends who have contributed to Expo 2010 Shanghai.

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. Over the 159 years since its inception, the World Expo has brought together people from different countries, ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds for sincere exchanges, friendship, cooperation and development. It has given us the valuable spiritual assets of pursuing progress, innovation, openness, common prosperity and harmony. And it has played an important and unique role in advancing human civilization.

Expo 2010 Shanghai is the first registered World Expo hosted by a developing country. It is an opportunity for China and also for the world. This Expo will present to the world China, a country with a 5,000-year civilization that is enjoying fast development and changes through reform and opening up. It will serve as a bridge for China to learn good experiences of other countries and engage in exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world. More importantly, Expo 2010 Shanghai belongs to the world. In the next six months, focusing on the theme Better City, Better Life, the Expo will offer a platform for all countries and regions to fully exhibit their achievements in urban civilization, share their best practices and spread advanced ideas on urban development. We will learn from each other, draw on each other's strengths and explore new models of housing, living and working for mankind in the new century. I believe the Expo will add a new chapter to the annals of interaction and mutual learning between the Chinese people and people of other countries and between different civilizations.

Over the past eight years, the Chinese Government and people have worked with great enthusiasm and made tremendous efforts in preparation for Expo 2010 Shanghai. We have mobilized resources throughout the country and pooled the wisdom of the world. Now, the Expo is about to open. I am confident that, with concerted efforts, people around the world will witness a successful, splendid and unforgettable World Expo. I am equally convinced that if we carry forward and build on the invaluable achievements of human civilization shown by the World Expo and its spiritual legacy, we will make our cities more beautiful, the Earth--our common home--better, and our future brighter.

The Chinese people are moving forward with full confidence in reform, opening up and the socialist modernization drive. We will make continued efforts to improve the livelihoods of the 1.3 billion Chinese people and at the same time make greater and new contributions to the noble cause of world peace and development. We will hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation and remain committed to the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up. China stands ready to develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and work with people of other countries for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.