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VOICES OF ASIA, EUROPE DRAW GLOBAL ATTENTION

People’s Daily, October 27, 2008

The Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), held in Beijing on October 24th and 25th, was the first gathering of 45 members of ASEM since its second round of enlargement. The ASEM summit produced three documents and 17 proposals for cooperation, which show that the ASEM has started from dialogues and exchange, to head for pragmatic cooperation.

The dialogue between Asia and Europe is particularly conspicuous against a backdrop of spreading global financial crisis along with such grave global issues as acute energy and food shortages, natural calamities and abject poverty. So more than 1,870 reporters from 51 countries worldwide converged onto Beijing to cover the Seventh ASEM summit.

Financial issue top concern

World financial issue can be rated as top global concern and the appeal for enhancing confidence is first voice for ASEM summit."

The financial crisis triggered by the US subprime mortgage crisis had caused 'shockwaves' in the international financial markets and a serious impact on economic development and livelihoods of people in various countries," Chinese President Hu Jintao said clearly and explicitly while addressing the opening ceremony of ASEM. In the face of this global challenge, he underscored, "the international community should enhance policy coordination, strengthen cooperation and make a common response."

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao cited the current financial crisis as the "unprecedented crisis" at the first ASEM plenary session. "We should make concerted effort to show the world our confidence, unity and cooperation," he said.

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