Phase one of the construction of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo site is near completion with the relocation of 18,000 households and 272 companies, said Shanghai Vice Mayor Yang Xiong Monday.

Speaking at a news conference, the official said the Shanghai World Expo park will cover 5.28 square kilometers which is larger than past World Expos.

To build the park, the work for the relocation of 18,000 households and 272 companies from the area is expected to be finished by the end of June, Yang said.

The official added that the families being required to move will be likely to see their residences dramatically upgraded. Most of the old flats measure 30 square meters on average but the city promises to provide new apartments that are 70 square meters.

The municipal government will provide temporary residences for those who have to move and offer them help to move.

Yang said the relocated residents will primarily live in the Pujiang World Expo residential area and Sanlin World Expo residential area, which have a total floor space of 2 million square meters.

The official said all the families that are relocated will receive reasonable compensation that will be determined by the real estate market.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2006)