The 35th annual board meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
will bring new energy to regional unity and cooperation in Asia,
said Xiang Huaicheng, chairman of the board of governors, at the
meeting's conclusion.
Xiang, Chinese Finance Minister, said that the meeting was the
largest ever in ADB history and covered a broad range of
issues.
Participants showed great confidence in the development of the
macro-economy of the Asia-Pacific area and expressed strong support
for strengthening ADB aid as well as sincere hope for improving
regional cooperation, he said.
He
believed the ADB played a significant role in accelerating regional
economic development. However, since the number of poverty-stricken
people in Asia still accounted for two thirds of the world
population, wiping out poverty was a long-term mission, he
noted.
The Chinese minister advocated that the ADB should intensify
efforts in allocating funds to developing members and creating
equal opportunities for developing countries in the era of economic
globalization.
Xiang said that China always believed that improving regional
economic cooperation and exploring the markets within and outside
Asia would strengthen Asian countries' ability to defend outside
economic risks and maintain the energy of Asian economic
growth.
He
said that China would continue to enlarge its domestic market
demands, maintain its economic growth, and actively make efforts to
promote regional economic cooperation.
Xiang also promised that China would, within its ability, provide
favorable trade items and aid, especially technological and human
resources support to its partners.
(Xinhua News
Agency May 12, 2002)