BEIJING, May 16 -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has asked government officials in Shanghai to take environmental issues into consideration when building World Expo venues.

    "We need to bear in mind the concept of energy saving, pollution control and sustainable development in the design and building of World Expo venues and facilities," said Wen during his inspection in Shanghai before attending the opening ceremony of the African Development Bank's annual board meetings, which opened Wednesday morning.

    "Given that the theme of the Shanghai World Expo is 'better city, better life', Shanghai should strike a balance between hosting the event and long-term social and economic development," he said.

    Construction of the "World Expo Village", a residential and office complex for Expo staff, began in February.

    The Expo, to be held from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2010, will have an estimated budget of 28.6 billion yuan (3.7 billion U.S. dollars), Zhu Yonglei, deputy head of the Expo's coordination bureau said in March.

    China is hoping to attract 200 countries and international organizations to the Shanghai World Expo, making it the largest in its history.