The World Expo 2010 to be held in Shanghai can help China and the world ride through the global financial crisis, said a Chinese political advisor on Sunday.

"It's hopeful the Shanghai World Expo will be a precious opportunity to help China overcome economic difficulties and lift the world out of the crisis shadow," said Zhao Qizheng, head of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, a working organ of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body.

Zhao cited the example of the World Expo 1933 in the US city of Chicago, which attracted nearly 23 million people and created about 100,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

The Chicago World Expo greatly boosted people's courage and confidence in fighting the Great Depression, said Zhao at a speech to the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee.

Tourism boom during the expo will stimulate the development of modern services such as information, transport, logistics and financial industries in regions surrounding the host city, said Yang Duoliang, chairman of the CPPCC Anhui Provincial Committee.

He urged provinces and cities in and near the Yangtze River Delta area, where Shanghai is situated, to jointly build more convenient, efficient transport and communication systems.

The area should take the expo as a chance to deepen cooperation in scientific technologies, culture, ecological protection and urban-rural integration, said Yang in a speech to the session.

The proposal was jointly raised by Yang and his counterparts in Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality, all in the Yangtze River Delta.

The World Expo 2010, with the theme of "Better City, Better Life", is due to be held from May 1 to October 31 next year and expected to attract 70 million visitors.

Altogether 185 countries and 46 international organizations has confirmed to attend the Expo as of February 18, said Zhao.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2009)