HELSINKI -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday expounded China's position
on various international issues in a keynote speech delivered at the end of the
sixth summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.
Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao delivers a keynote speech at the end of the sixth summit of the
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit September 11, 2006.
[Xinhua] |
China's stand on issues of multilateralism, sustained development, energy
security, globalization, the future of ASEM, as well as other major
international issues was mentioned in the speech.
BUILDING ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Addressing the closing ceremony of the summit, Wen said China was striving to
build an environmentally-friendly society, pointing out that energy and
environment were the two big issues the country faced in its economic
development.
Properly handling the issues of energy and environment was not only a
necessity for China, but also would make a contribution to the globe at large,
Wen stressed.
China had actively participated in the international cooperation mechanism on
climate change, and it had honored its commitments, Wen said.
The premier said the Chinese government had adopted measures to save energy
and increase energy utilization efficiency in a bid to build an energy-saving
and environmentally-friendly society.
ENHANCING UN ABILITY IN TACKLING THREATS
Regarding to the function of the United Nations, Wen called for the
enhancement of the UN ability in tackling threats and challenges.
Wen said China insisted that international disputes should be solved through
dialogue and negotiations, instead of the apply of force or threat of force.
China agreed to deepen anti-terrorism cooperation, root out the causes of
terrorism, but opposed the apply of double-standards in fighting terrorism.
The Chinese premier called on the international community to safeguard the
authority and effectiveness of the exiting multilateral agreement on nuclear
non-proliferation by formulating comprehensive export control systems.
GLOBALIZATION POSES BOTH OPPORTUNITY, CHALLENGE
Wen said globalization not only brought valuable opportunities, but also
caused great challenges for Asian and European countries.
He said Asia and European countries should strengthen their coordination and
cooperation to raise their competitiveness and ability to prevent risks.
The developed countries should help the developing ones with debt-relief,
finance, technology and aid, to increase their ability to face the wave of
globalization, he said.
The developed countries should show their political will and more flexibility
in reducing agricultural compensation and tariffs in a bid to pave the way for
resuming the Doha Round trade talks under the World Trade Organization, he
added.
MAPPING OUT BLUEPRINT FOR NEXT ASEM SUMMIT
Wen mapped out the blueprint for the next ASEM summit to be held in Beijing.
"China is to host the 7th ASEM summit in October 2008 in Beijing. I'm looking
forward to joining hands with all leaders here to make concerted efforts to
deepen the strategic dialogue between Asia and Europe," Wen said.
At the Beijing summit, China would work together with ASEM partners to
promote trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe, and conduct more
cultural exchanges and dialogues between different civilizations, to make more
contributions in deepening the Asia-Europe partnership, he said.
Over the past two days, the leaders from Asia and Europe had summarized the
experience and achievements over the past 10 years after the founding of the
ASEM mechanism, and they had also mapped out blueprint for the future
development of the ASEM, Wen said.
OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Wen also urged ASEM members to cooperate in preventing and controlling
infectious diseases, especially bird flu.
As for the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, Wen said the most important
task now was to resume the six-party talks as soon as possible.
He suggested that all parties involved should exercise self-restraint.
Meanwhile, Wen said diplomatic negotiations was the best way to solve the
Iranian nuclear issue, adding that Iran should pay enough attention to the
world's concerns and take constructive measures.
Turning to the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Chinese premier
said disputes should be settled through political negotiations under the
guideline of "land for peace."
At the conclusion of the summit, Asian and European leaders formally accepted
India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bulgaria and Romania as well as the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat into ASEM.
The two-day summit, which started on Sunday, brought together leaders and top
officials from the European Union's 25 members and 13 Asian countries.
