VANCOUVER - A photo show opened here Monday to promote the upcoming Shanghai World Expo.

The 8-day exhibition, under the name of "Better City, Better Life," which is the theme of Shanghai Expo, presents more than 80 pictures, featuring the Shanghai Expo mascot, master plan, theme pavilions of over 40 countries, as well as World Expo history.

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The pictures on display in Chinese Cultural Center of Great Vancouver have been provided by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, the Expo organizer.

Li Wenci, Chinese deputy consul-general in Vancouver, three ethnic Chinese councillors of Vancouver and several leaders from Vancouver's Chinese community delivered congratulatory speeches at the opening ceremony before cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Organizers expected that the exhibition would help people from various ethnic background better understand the Shanghai Expo and China.

Li Qi, the Executive Chairman of Canada Shanghai World Expo Promotion Committee, said: "We hope the public would be encouraged to travel to Shanghai, the overseas Chinese in particular to their home country, to watch the Expo."

"As overseas Chinese, we have the responsibility to help promote the Shanghai Expo," Li added.

The city of Shanghai will stage a series of activities to make 30-day countdown to Shanghai Expo on March 30. Li said the photo exhibition would continue in other cities in Great Vancouver in parallel with the promotion campaign back in China.

The Shanghai World Expo will open on May 1, and last through October 31, 2010.