Known as China's "treasure island," Taiwan has many tourist spots, Sun-Moon Lake, Mount A-li and Hsimenting's fashion street, among others. Add one more attraction: A World Expo 2010 promotion in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

An exhibit, "Path into World Expo," was held at the Eslite Bookstore in Taipei from September 22 to 25. A conference was also held in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Haibao, the mascot of the Shanghai World Expo, made its debut in the island province.

Taipei will showcase two exhibits in the Urban Best Practices Area of the Expo themed "Better City, Better Life." The Taiwan-based Aurora Group will build one of the 16 corporate pavilions.

Business people are urged to participate and visit, and island residents are encouraged to attend.

Expo officials say 223 countries and organizations have indicated participation or already signed contracts.

At the promotion in Taipei, visitors examined a model of the majestic China National Pavilion and took a digital video journey through the Expo site. Information on the history of World Expos and on the 2010 Expo were on display.

"I must go to the Shanghai World Expo in 2010" - that's what most visitors said, according to Ding Limin, an official from the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination,

The mascot Haibao, meaning "treasure of the sea," and shaped like the character ren for "person" was popular. All visitors were given Haibao dolls and many children held them happily. Many people posed for photos with a Haibao statue in the exhibition area.

During the promotion 1,500 Haibao dolls were grabbed up.

Li Zengjie, a 79-year-old Taipei resident, was an enthusiastic visitor. He said his family home is Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province and he plans to visit the Expo in Shanghai. He said he also invited his daughter who lives in the United States to join him for an Expo reunion.