Shanghai, the host city for the World Expo 2010, Sunday set a countdown clock ticking in its city center, showing 2,624 days left until the Expo opens.

The clock is above the front entrance of the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, situated in the northeast part of Shanghai's People Square.

"Although there are nearly seven years left, it seems the World Expo is closer because of the countdown clock, which reminds us that we should take advantage of the time left," said Zhang Qiong,a young guide at the exhibition center.

Visitors also can see a message on the clock written in both English and Chinese: "Keep pace with the times, blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit."

Inside the center are exhibitions on the history of the World Expo, the process of China's bidding for the 2010 event, a model of the future World Expo Village, the video of last December's voting ceremony and so on.

People who want to be volunteers at the World Expo 2010 can register by computer at the center.

"The World Expo is a gate opening to the outside world, which would introduce the intensive competition of the future. The countdown clock reminds me of the challenges ahead, so I must study hard to meet," said Jiang Zheng, a bright 15-year-old girl student from Pudong District's Shangnan Middle School who is living near the future World Expo Village.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2003)