Ladies and Gentlemen,

Asia and Europe are undergoing profound changes and adjustments. With general political stability and vigorous development of various regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, Asia has become one of the world's most dynamic regions in terms of development. Europe has made further progress in integration and external cooperation and is playing a greater role in international affairs. At the same time, Asia and Europe are still confronted with many problems and challenges in their pursuit of peace and development. Local conflicts and hot-spot issues crop up from time to time and traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. In particular, we are going through a period when global economic development faces severe challenges from the international financial turmoil, the serious problems concerning energy and food security, and greater inflationary pressure. As economic globalization is gaining momentum, the future of Asia and Europe has been increasingly tied to the future of the whole world, and cooperation between Asia and Europe for win-win progress is our best option. It is therefore most fitting to choose "Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win Solution" as the theme of this meeting, for it serves the need of the current Asia-Europe relations.

Since its first meeting in 1996, ASEM has made marked achievements in various fields and become an important platform for Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation. In response to the new requirements of the times, Asia and Europe should make better use of this platform to increase dialogue, expand consensus, enhance trust and deepen cooperation. We should respect each other's social system, ideology, cultural background and development model, and better appreciate each other's development policies and goals. We should embrace an open attitude and make full use of our strong economic complementarities to deepen existing cooperation, develop new areas of cooperation and properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultations on an equal footing. Asia and Europe should intensify coordination and cooperation to jointly meet global challenges, promote stability in the international energy and food markets, strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and reduction, actively respond to climate change, work for the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals, promote multilateralism and the proper settlement of international and regional hot-spot issues, and advance peace and development of the world. Our two sides should carry forward the spirit of equality, openness and inclusiveness, advocate the harmonious coexistence and mutual learning among civilizations and work together for the prosperity and progress of human civilization.

It is an integral part of China's foreign policy to strengthen and grow friendly relations and cooperation with countries in Asia and Europe. China will continue to live in harmony and seek common development with other Asian countries, advance mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU and its members, deepen China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, take an active part in the ASEM process and contribute its share to Asia-Europe cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ancient Silk Road opened by our ancestors represented a splendid chapter in the annals of Asia-Europe relations. Today, we must show greater vision and foresight and bring about new achievements in Asia-Europe cooperation to the benefit of all our people. Let us join hands and make unremitting efforts for a new Asia-Europe partnership and for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

In conclusion, I wish the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting a great success.

Thank you.

(Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn)