The Expo opened on Saturday May 1st and is expected to draw 70 million people to pavilions from almost 200 nations designed to reflect the urban sustainability theme of "Better City, Better Life" through its close on October 31st.

China is splashing out 28.6 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) on the Expo itself. The Expo caps a trio of landmark events that began with the Olympics and was followed by the lavish 2009 celebration of the 60th anniversary of Communist Party rule. Expo organizers have insisted on keeping details of their plans for the evening performances hush-hush, saying they did not want to spoil the surprise. But apart from the inevitable fireworks and laser lights — seen during earlier rehearsals — celebrities expected to perform at the Expo opening or otherwise attend events included actor Jackie Chan, concert pianist Lang Lang, opera star Andrea Bocelli and actress Halle Berry.

The Shanghai Expo is the first held in a developing country and though city residents are bracing for six whole months of huge crowds, traffic jams and other disruptions, the event is broadly popular in Shanghai. Sponsors of the event include China Steel and Coca~Cola. 

The Expo opened on Saturday May 1st and is expected to draw 70 million people to pavilions from almost 200 nations designed to reflect the urban sustainability theme of "Better City, Better Life" through its close on October 31st.

China is splashing out 28.6 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) on the Expo itself. The Expo caps a trio of landmark events that began with the Olympics and was followed by the lavish 2009 celebration of the 60th anniversary of Communist Party rule. Expo organizers have insisted on keeping details of their plans for the evening performances hush-hush, saying they did not want to spoil the surprise. But apart from the inevitable fireworks and laser lights — seen during earlier rehearsals — celebrities expected to perform at the Expo opening or otherwise attend events included actor Jackie Chan, concert pianist Lang Lang, opera star Andrea Bocelli and actress Halle Berry.

The Shanghai Expo is the first held in a developing country and though city residents are bracing for six whole months of huge crowds, traffic jams and other disruptions, the event is broadly popular in Shanghai. Sponsors of the event include China Steel and Coca~Cola.