China hopes the forthcoming Fifth ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Economic Ministers' Meeting will advance the new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.

"Economic ministers from Asia and Europe, gathering in China to discuss the new round of free trade talks, will provide an excellent opportunity for them to reach consensus on certain issues," Yi Xiaozhun, director of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce told a weekend press conference.

About 300 delegates, including the European Commission minister for economic affairs and economic ministers from China, 15 member states of the European Union, Japan, South Korea and seven of the 10-member ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations, are expected to participate in the meeting to be held in China's northeastern port city of Dalian from July 22 to 24.

Forwarding the new round of WTO negotiations, reviewing the world economic situation and promoting economic co-operation between Asia and Europe are the three main topics of the meeting, which will be chaired by the Chinese Minister of Commerce Lu Fuyuan.

The delegates will evaluate the impact of major current issues, such as the Iraq War and the SARS outbreak on Asian and European economies. It will also seek measures for dealing with the challenges presented by the global economic situation and ways to restore confidence in global economic growth.

They will also discuss the integration of the regional economy, including the establishment of free trade zones, the influence of the eastward expansion of the European Union, and free and convenient trade and investment in the region.

Yi said the meeting will take place in a new international context. The global economy remains grim, despite some positive signs, and great efforts are still needed to achieve a comprehensive recovery.

China is taking measures to ensure the health and safety of the delegates to the meeting, which is the biggest and highest-level international event held in China since the defeat of SARS, said Yi.

Dalian, in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, has specially set up a preparatory committee for the meeting, said Wang Youwei, deputy director of the preparatory committee.