And now back to the true sensitive nature of newsreporting and storytelling. You can’t expect to quote government officials without them begging for anonymity on claims of “sensitive nature.” In this case, the topic is “fools,” or, whether or not Shanghai is chock-full-o-spies.

China says it’s an “opportunity to showcase great achievements and diverse cultures,” but the World’s Expo, which opens in Shanghai on Friday night, is also an opportunity for China to spy on Americans and even recruit new intelligence sources, according to current and former U.S. officials.

“Are people who go to the Expo potential targets for espionage? I think you’d be a fool to think otherwise,” said one U.S. official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the topic.

But it’s not just the sensitive nature of fools and espionage that’s the concern — it’s apparently sensitive, hi-tech, Get Smart-like gadgets that some World Expo-goers are really worried about:

“These public venues are laden with opportunities for foreign collectors to interact with U.S. experts and glean information regarding dual-use and sensitive technologies,” said a 2008 report issued by the U.S. intelligence community to Congress.

Still awaiting word on whether or not those with sensitive palates might experience elevated bouts of paranoia.