scene of the gala

Shanghai Expo organizers today held an annual gala to thank the support of sponsors at Shangri-La hotel in Shanghai.

The organizers said Tencent, China's largest and most used Internet service portal, had become the third senior sponsor of the event on the gala.

The Bank of Communications, one of the global partners, issued the first Expo-themed bankcard on the gala.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong said Expo organizers should cooperate with the sponsors, utilize the resources and advantages of the companies to promote the event and create a win-win development.

More than 400 officials and representatives from enterprises attended the gala.

China Eastern Airlines, China Mobile, China Telecom, the Bank of Communications, a joint venture of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group and General Motors, Siemens, Coca-Cola, State Grid and Baosteel have signed global partner deals with World Expo 2010.

The marketing plan of Shanghai Expo includes partnership, senior sponsorship and project sponsors.

According to the plan, Shanghai Expo will choose 10 to 12 global partner and about 15 senior sponsors.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong

The board of sponsors