Wen offers 4 proposals to deepen partnership
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-10-10 22:10

China is willing to actively join international efforts to guarantee energy resources and explore new sources.

Premier Wen Jiabao made the remarks at the Fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which closed over the weekend as oil futures finished above US$53 a barrel in New York.

Wen said China is devoted to improving energy efficiency, promoting the diversification of resources and types of energy with consumption and the sustainability of the environment in mind.

Saving energy, he said, is a top priority.

"In the past 25 years, China, by relatively low energy consumption growth of 4.2 per cent, has managed to sustain rapid national economic growth of 9.4 per cent," Wen said.

In addition, Wen also put forward four proposals to further strengthen comprehensive Asia-Europe co-operation to contribute to world peace, development and progress.

First, Asia and Europe should strengthen political mutual trust through dialogue and consultation.

"We need to establish and improve dialogue and consultation mechanisms at various levels, strive to enhance mutual understanding and trust, increase sharing of experience and policy dialogues on regional co-operation, and have closer co-ordination in various multilateral forums including the United Nations in a joint endeavor to put in place a fair and rational new international political and economic order," the Chinese premier said.

Second, Asia and Europe should increase economic exchanges and promote regional economic growth and common prosperity, Wen said.

"In the new round of multilateral trade negotiations, we need to have close consultation and co-ordination and push for an early and smooth completion of the Doha Agenda with a balance of interests of various parties."

Third, Asia and Europe should open new horizons for co-operation and promote co-ordinated economic and social development in various countries.

"ASEM needs to actively carry out technical assistance and capacity building projects to narrow the development gap among ASEM members," he said.

"We need to vigorously conduct policy dialogue and information sharing on sustainable development and press ahead with our scientific and technological co-operation in forest protection and water management," he said.

Fourth, the two sides should actively conduct dialogues and exchanges to respect and preserve cultural diversity, Wen stressed.

During the two-day meeting, the premier also expressed appreciation to all the state members on their insistence on the one-China policy, saying it is not only precious support for China but benefits stability across the Taiwan Straits.

The participants hailed the success of the summit which brings together 39 member states from the two continents.

At a press conference right after the two-day ASEM 5 summit ended, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said the summit has produced many successful results.

The first notable result is that for the first time since its inception eight years ago, ASEM has been enlarged to embrace 13 new members, said Khai, referring the three nations of ASEAN and 10 new members of EU.

Three documents concerning political, economic and cultural co-operation were unanimously adopted by the leaders at the summit.

The summit also informed that the sixth ASEM would be held in Helsinki, Finland, on September 14-15, 2006.

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