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ASEM session focuses on global financial crisis

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-24 23:04

BEIJING -- The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit concluded its first closed session here Friday evening, with the global financial crisis topping the agenda.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao speaks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 24, 2008. [Agencies]

Leaders and representatives of the 45 ASEM members attended the meeting which lasted two hours.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao chaired the meeting and made the leading speech.

Wen called on Asian and European nations to make concerted effort in response to the global financial crisis triggered by the US credit crunch, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

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Wen said the international financial and economic situation is an issue linked up with the direct interests of all ASEM members, and that is why the issue was listed the top subject for discussion.

"Asian and European nations are an important force to safeguard international financial stability and promote world economic growth," Wen said. "We should make concerted effort to show the world our confidence, unity and cooperation," he added.

He said relevant countries and organizations have taken measures in response to the global financial crisis, and China hopes these measures would achieve the desired results soon.

He also called for global action to jointly respond to the crisis.

The leaders present at the meeting had an "enthusiastic and in-depth" discussion on how to tackle the crisis, as well as how to promote Asia-Europe trade and investment, the Foreign Ministry said, giving no further details.

The seventh ASEM summit, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, will all together have four closed sessions.