Seal engravings by Yan Gongda are used on many of his works. [CHINA DAILY]

Calligraphy master replicates Hu Jintao's welcome speech.

Four years after the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the memory of the grand event is still alive thanks to tangible reminders like architecture and documents.

Yan Gongda, vice-president of Chinese Calligraphers Association and professor at two universities, replicated the expo welcoming speech by Hu Jintao, then president of China, in cursive script calligraphy.

With the title Better City, Better Life, the 70-cm-wide, 25-m-long scroll contains the major part of Hu's speech:

"As the first registered World Expo hosted by a developing country, the Shanghai Expo will be an opportunity for China and also for the world.

"At this expo, China will present to the world a country with 5,000-year history, which is enjoying fast development and changes through reform and opening-up.

"The expo will serve as a bridge for China to learn the good experience of other countries and engage in exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world.

"The expo belongs to the whole world. In the next six months, focusing on the theme of 'Better City, Better Life', it will be a grand event to showcase the best achievements of human civilization. It is also a great occasion for people from around the world to share joy and friendship.

"It will offer a platform for all countries and regions to fully exhibit their achievements in urban civilization, share best practices and spread advanced ideas on urban development.

"We will learn from each other, draw on each other's strengths and explore new models of housing, living and working for mankind in the new century.

"I believe the Shanghai World Expo will open a new chapter for interaction and mutual learning between the Chinese and people of other countries, as well as among different civilizations.

"In the past eight years, the Chinese government and the people have mobilized resources throughout the country and pooled the wisdom of the world to prepare for a successful expo.

"I am confident that, with concerted efforts, people around the world will witness a successful, splendid and unforgettable World Expo.

"I also believe that only when we cherish the spiritual wealth brought by the expo, we will have better cities, a better world and a brighter future.

"The Chinese people are continuing to promote reform, opening up and modernization with greater confidence.

"We will make further effort to improve the livelihood of our 1.3 billion people and make greater and new contribution to the world peace and development.

"The country will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up to build a harmonious world with lasting peace and mutual prosperity."

The work is now collected by the National Museum in Beijing. It is the longest scroll of cursive script by a contemporary artist in the museum.