VANCOUVER: Shanghai’s upcoming hosting of the World Expo is getting some enthusiastic exposure in the Vancouver market by courtesy of a locally-based group that promotes Chinese culture.

With the Canadian city set to host the Winter Olympic Games starting on Friday and the Paralympics next month, the Association of the Chinese Cultural Promotion Canada is taking advantage of the opportunity to promote the Expo with three separate road shows in Vancouver and the neighboring suburb cities of Burnaby and Richmond through March.

Speaking at the "All for the Spring Chinese New Year Folk Gala Night" on Sunday evening, Association President Ricky Li told Xinhua this year was of special significance as in addition to Vancouver’s hosting of the Games, it was also the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Canada.

"Vancouver hosted the World Expo in 1986 and got a lot of benefit from it. The same thing is happening for Shanghai. As Chinese-Canadians, we wanted to do something special for the expo, " said the Jilin （a northeast China province） native who immigrated to Canada 12 years ago.

"We want more people to know about Chinese culture and that’s what these expo shows will do for both a Chinese and western audience. We did the same thing for Beijing in 2008 and it was a big success. People have seen Beijing in the Olympics and now the World Expo is coming to Shanghai. They want to come. It is very easy for us to promote," Li added.

With performers singing such Chinese standards as "Mother River " and "Dragon Boat Song" at the Folk Gala Night, Li said his association, along with three other locally-based Chinese groups, would be hosting evenings of song and dance on February 19 and 20 to give Winter Games visitors a taste of Chinese culture Vancouver- style.

Last year, in celebration of New China’s 60th founding anniversary, Li promoted a three-day Chinese Cultural Festival with great success on the city’s former expo site.