SHANGHAI?-- The following are highlights of latest developments in preparations for the upcoming World Expo 2010 in Shanghai:

Expo media center to open on April 27

Full Coverage:  World Expo in Shanghai Related readings:  Hotline opens for Expo logistics service  Expo to be platform for world to know China better  Shanghai Expo will benefit neighboring Anhui  Expo maps released for public consultation

Media center for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 from May 1 to October 31 would begin official operation on April 27, after it completes a trial run between April 20 to 26, Song Chao, head of the press office of the municipal government of Shanghai, told a press conference Wednesday.

An online media center will also be established for the six-month cultural event, to allow remote interviews by registered journalists.

By now, approximately 13,000 media workers in China and from abroad have applied to cover the Expo. Of them, 3,500 are from 589 overseas institutions, and more than 9,000 from 713 Chinese institutions.

Sufficient funds raised for US pavilion

Fund-raising work for the 61 million US dollars needed for the US Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, had been completed, Jose H. Villarreal, commission-general of the Pavilion, announced Wednesday.

New sponsors included Citigroup and the east-China-based transnational Haire.

The 6,000-sq-m Pavilion, with the theme of "Rising to the Challenge", will join the Expo park's trial operation starting on April 20.

Maritime rescue drill launched ahead of Expo

A maritime rescue drill was launched by the maritime rescue system under the Ministry of Transport Wednesday at Waigaoqiao of Shanghai, in a bid to ensure security of waterway transport during the 184-day World Expo to be held in the city.

The 40-minute drill involved people rescue, imitated medical care for and transfer of injured people and equipment display. Two rescue ships, two naval vessels and two helicopters joined the exercise.

A maritime anti-terror exercise was held on March 20 jointly by maritime police authorities in Shanghai and the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Exhibition arrangement completed for joint Africa Pavilion

Exhibition arrangements have been completed for all of the 43 exhibition modules of the joint Africa Pavilion, which will join the Expo park's trial operation starting April 20, organizers said Wednesday.

The joint pavilion, which will be shared by 42 African countries and the African Union, covers an area of 26,000 square meters, and each module has an exhibition space of 250 sq m.

Fifty out of 53 African countries will participate in the World Expo 2010. Eight of them have rented a pavilion each.