Shanghai Executive Vice Mayor Yang Xiong yesterday thanked Saudi Arabia's active participation in the 2010 World Expo while welcoming a delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Urban and Rural Affairs in Shanghai.

Yang, also the Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Expo, updated the delegation on the latest progress of the fair. He hoped the country would proceed its work in an orderly manner to ensure the pavilion would be open on May 1.

Delegation members said the country is making a nationwide effort in the participation and striving to be part of the five trial operations starting April 20.

Editor: Hu Min