The Shanghai World Expo, which has attracted feverish attention from around the world, closes its curtain on Sunday after receiving a record 73 million visitors, who are joined by numerous more bidding a reluctant farewell to one of the most memorable Expos in history.

China has realized its century-old dream of hosting the event. And at the 184-day grand gala, China and other countries from around the world eagerly showcased their history and culture.

The Shanghai World Expo, the first held in a developing country in the event's 159-year history, set one record after another in terms of the number of participating countries or regions, the size of the Expo park, and the number of visitors.

The spectacular exhibitions of the Shanghai Expo provided the world with enormous enjoyment and enlightenment. The Expo will be remembered for its splendidness and gloriousness.

The ideas of pluralism, harmony, tolerance, originality and co-existence that the Shanghai Expo has upheld will carry on, transcending time and space, and become the most treasured assets for mankind.

The spiritual and physical legacy that the Expo leaves behind will inspire and encourage people to carry on and create an even brighter future in the post-Expo era.

WORLD CHEERS FOR CHINA

The Shanghai World Expo was held at a time when the world was oveshadowed by the global financial crisis. The Chinese government, displaying tremendous courage, pooled the efforts of the whole nation and the wisdom of the whole world, building confidence and hope.

Under the theme of "Better City, Better Life," the Shanghai Expo drew 246 participating nations and international organizations at the largest ever world fair site of 5.28 square kilometers.

Latvia's President Valdis Zatlers said the Shanghai Expo has surpassed all his expectations.

It mixed history with a modern world perfectly, conjoined the present and the future and built a bridge between the Oriental and the Occident, he said.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said the Shanghai Expo had achieved many successes, which brought benefit to not only China but also the whole world.

Latvian Education and Science Minister Tatjana Koke lauded China's organization work, saying it was incredible that the Shanghai Expo could receive as many as one million visitors a day.

For Lin Xuewen, secretary-general of United Chinese Associations of Eastern U.S., "incredible" is the most often used word in describing his experience at the Shanghai World Expo.

"It was incredible to see the video played in the multimedia exhibition of the China Pavilion about China's vast migration from rural to urban areas over the past 30 years. I felt so overwhelmed by the incredible changes as if I was riding a time machine. Truly amazing," recalled Lin.

"Some U.S. friends who visited the Shanghai Expo told me that they realized that China not only has good food or great Kung-fu, but rich cultural heritage and modern technology," said Lin.

DIVERSIFIED CULTURE GATHERS IN SHANGHAI EXPO

A Chinese saying goes, "a single flower does not make a spring." In the modern world, not a single culture can survive on its own. The Shanghai World Expo provides a stage for a rich assortment of cultures in the world to manifest their diversity.

In the Expo park, all countries, east or west, poor or rich, can exchange, learn from each other and appreciate each other on an equal footing.