An organizer for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo said Thursday that 231 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the event to date.

The participants, 185 countries and 46 international organizations, include the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states, said an official of the expo coordination bureau on Thursday.

"Participation in Shanghai 2010 broke with the normal policy not to participate in Expos taking place outside the European Union," said Serge Abou, head of delegation of the European Commission in a letter to the executive committee of the Shanghai Expo on Wednesday.

"The decision to break this precedent reflects the importance that the Commission attaches to the strategic partnership between the European Union and China, as well as the strength and vitality of the European business and cultural community in Shanghai itself," the letter said.

Abou also revealed in the letter that the Commission has been making technical preparations for the Expo and it will probably share a pavilion with a Member State.

The expo, running from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010, will feature five theme pavilions -- "Urbanian," "City as a Form of Life," "Urban Planet," "Urban Future" and "Urban Culture."

An estimated 70 million visitors are expected to attend the 184-day expo with the theme of "Better city, better life."

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2009)