Wu, also editor of the book "Technological Innovation in World Exposition" , said besides the exhibits in the pavilions, the whole Expo site was a testing ground for high-end technologies.

"As the first Expo held in a developing country, it is an opportunity to advance the development of science and technology in China," she said.

She added that the world expo axis, which introduced the Huangpu River as a cooling and heat source and used rain collecting and recycling technology, had made a breakthrough in terms of dimensions.

The State Council, or China' s Cabinet, announced plans in October to develop new strategic industries such as alternative energy, biotechnology, new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, advanced materials, alternative-fuel cars and energy-saving and environmental protection industries, to promote industrial upgrading and accelerate the pace of economic restructuring.

It noted that the value-added output of these industries would amount to 15 percent of the country' s GDP by 2020.

Wu Min said the Shanghai Expo, with the theme of "Better City, Better Life" , showed that realizing a low-carbon and environmental-friendly society needed to be supported by scientific and technological measures, and should also not neglect the achievements of the industrial era.

Some local governments have attempted to fulfill the goal of saving energy by restricting the use of electricity by families, which is definitely not correct, according to Wu.