SHANGHAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner paid a visit here Thursday as the last leg of her China trip.

Shanghai was more prosperous and beautiful now, said Kirchner, who came to the city in 2004 for the first time, in a meeting with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng Thursday morning.

Over 40 heads of states and governments from various nations had visited Shanghai since the opening of the Shanghai World Expo on May 1, Han said, adding that 15 state and government chiefs were expected to attend the closing ceremony scheduled for the end of October.

Kirchner said the Expo was a "real world gathering" and reiterated Argentina's support to the event.

One hundred and eighty-nine countries and fifty-seven international organizations have participated the Expo.

Deeply impressed by the sound construction and administration of Shanghai, Kirchner said the cities in other countries including those of Argentina should learn from Shanghai's development.

"We will introduce Shanghai's experience to Argentina after this China visit," she added.

Kirchner visited the Chinese and Argentine Pavilions after the meeting.

She will leave Shanghai and conclude her China visit later Thursday night.