Taipei - Taipwan's capital Taipei plans to participate in the 2010 World Expo to be held in Shanghai, China, press reports said Friday.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin said Thursday that because all participating nations and cities must sign a participation contract with the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau, he plans to go later this month to Shanghai to ink the pact, the China Times daily said.

Hau said he plans to travel to Shanghai after President-elect Ma Ying-jeou is inaugurated on May 20, and Ma's government has given Taipei approval to atend the World Expo.

Taipei has been selected to set up two pavilions at the Urban Practices Area during the World Expo 2010, to introduce WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) City and Garbage Recycling.

Hau said that Taipei's participation carries great significance because it will the first time for Taiwan to attend a World Expo since the island lost its United Nations seat to China in 1971.

Some 200 countries and dozens of cities and international organizations have been invited to attend World Expo 2010, to be held from May 1-October 31, 2010, in Shanghai.

The 2010 World Expo is expected to attract more than 70 million visitors, according to the Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau. (dpa)