Zhou Hanmin, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, today met Charles Curwen, official secretary and chief administer of the Governor Office of Australia's Victoria State.

Zhou extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the latest progress in World Expo 2010 preparations, including site construction, transportation and the Urban Best Practices Area exhibition.

Zhou said Australia has confirmed a 5,000-square-meter chunk of land in Zone B for its national pavilion and technical negotiations have already started.

Curwen said Shanghai and Victoria State will have lots of opportunities to cooperate. Many Shanghai people love to live in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, as it is one of the most livable cities in the world, he said.

The Victoria state government has confirmed it will invest A$6 million (39.56 million yuan) in Shanghai Expo. Curwen hoped the two parties could further discuss cooperation.