The 2010 World Expo in Shanghai has opened.

The Expo secretariat held its opening ceremony at the culture center Friday morning. Leaders from some 20 nations including Chinese President Hu Jintao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and North Korean parliamentary leader Kim Yong-nam were in attendance.

Approximately 100-thousand celebratory fireworks were launched over a stretch of three-point-two kilometers on the banks of the Huangpu River, the largest scale fireworks show in Shanghai’s history.

The Shanghai Expo, where a total of 189 nations and 57 international organizations are taking part, will open for six months amid a celebratory atmosphere on the global economic recovery.

Korea has opened its largest-ever exhibition at an Expo with the Korea Business Pavilion, which will showcase 12 major conglomerates, the Republic of Korea Pavilion, and the Seoul City Pavilion.