SHANGHAI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese economy will maintain its robust development after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, said Shanghai party chief Xi Jinpingon Sunday.

    "The Olympic Games and the Expo are definitely huge boosters to the Chinese economy, but they are not the only driving force," said Xi.

    The influence of the two great events shall not be restricted to economy, but goes much farther into our culture, the Shanghai Party chief said.

    "Taking the Expo for example, the cultural heritage from the hosting of the event will be far greater than the material heritage. It will exert a deep and far influence in uplifting the culture of the city," he said.

    Xi admitted that people are not so familiar with the expo as with the Olympics because sports games are easier to understand and participate. "Actually I was not fully aware of the significance of the expo until I attended the 1998 Lisbon Expo," he said.

    The expo would exhibit the economic and social strength of participating countries, especially their most advanced cultural and scientific achievements, said Xi.

    A total of 158 countries, regions and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Expo which will be held from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010.