Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi has called for developing leisure services and steadily improving the quality of people's life.

Wu made the remarks at the 2006 World Leisure High-level Forum and the 2006 Hangzhou World Leisure Expo which kicked off in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province, on Saturday. "It's a wise decision to hold the forum and the Expo in Hangzhou, which is well known as 'Paradise on Earth'," she said.

The theme of the Expo, titled "Leisure changes the lifestyle of humanity", reflects the need for the all-round development of human society and the positive attitude of human beings in seeking a civilized and healthy lifestyle, said Wu.

She noted the Chinese government always supports and encourages people to develop civilized and healthy lifestyle.

She said China is now in a golden development period. The development is guided by the scientific development concept and based on expanding domestic demand.

China aims to build a harmonious society that will enable all Chinese to share the results of the country's reform and development, she said.

"Leisure will not become a privilege for a minority of people," she added. "Leisure related industries should have more development opportunities and more development space."

The Expo, scheduled to last from April 22 to Oct. 22, is expected to receive 11 million domestic visitors and one million overseas visitors, according to the organizers

Over 100 events including exhibitions, conferences, arts and sports activities and tourism projects will be launched. The Expo is jointly sponsored by the World Leisure Organization, China National  Tourism Administration, General Administration of Sports, Zhejiang provincial government and the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2006)