Wen pays tribute as Shanghai World Expo closes

The Shanghai World Expo drew to a close Sunday night with Premier Wen Jiabao paying tribute to the event, saying that it “truly brought together people around the globe,” state media reported. The closing ceremony at the shell-shaped Expo Cultural Center featured a series of parades and performances involving staff from all the pavilions, local volunteers and celebrities including Hong Kong action film star Jackie Chan. Earlier in the day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon joined Wen at an Expo forum on urban innovation and sustainable development. Ban said that Shanghai had “secured its reputation as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.” Since its opening in May, the Expo has attracted more than 73 million people, according to event organizers, a record for such events. The 5.2 square-kilometer Expo site handled an average of 370,000 visitors daily, and a record 1.03 million on October 16.