Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng met Queensland Premier Anna Bligh yesterday and signed a cooperation memo for 2008 to 2010.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Tang Dengjie also attended.

Han said Shanghai had reaped remarkable benefits in economy, trade, public health, science and technology and education fields since establishing friendship with the Australian state in 1989.

He expected the memo would lead to an even closer relationship and understanding between the two sides.

Bligh appreciated the warm welcome and applauded the efforts Shanghai had made on World Expo preparation.

She said Queensland would this year celebrate the 20th anniversary of the highly-successful World Expo in Brisbane.