A delegation led by Theo Theophanous, Minister for Industry and Trade of the State of Victoria, Australia, visited the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination yesterday afternoon, exchanging views on Australia's exhibition at World Expo 2010 with organizers.

Theophanous also serves as Minister for Information and Communication Technology and Major Projects of Victoria.

Huang Jianzhi, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, welcomed the delegation. Huang said that Australian officials had conducted many consultations with organizers on the design of Australian Pavilion and the consultations were very pleasant.

Huang briefed his guests on the preparation of Expo 2010 and the two innovative programs of Shanghai Expo, the Urban Best Practices Area exhibition and Expo Shanghai Online. Huang said Expo Shanghai Online could break the constraints of space and let more people get closer to Expo 2010.

Huang said there will be more than 30 performance venues at the Expo site and invited the State of Victoria to stage wonderful performances during Expo 2010.

The minister expressed hope that Australia and China would have closer cooperation and exchanges during Shanghai Expo. He said Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, boasts high livability, which had been recognized around the world, and this corresponded to Expo 2010's theme "Better City, Better Life."

Theophanous showed great interest in Expo Shanghai Online and said he looked forward to conducting more exchanges in the information technology field with organizers.