US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday highlighted partnership between countries to meet global challenges, saying that challenges these days are not just national or regional, but global.

Powell sent the message at the US Asia-Pacific Council Symposium held in Washington, DC on Thursday. He said there are great opportunities and challenges at the time and he suggested that world leaders and countries need to address security, political, diplomatic, economic and other issues with a global approach and in a fashion of partnership.

Powell stressed the importance of building strong partnership between the United States and Asian countries. He also said that Asian countries have been actively engaging in many international affairs.

He said that the United States is working closely with China in many areas such as the World Trade Organization's Doha round. He stressed that the two countries have mutual interests.

Powell talked about increasing economic activities between the United States and the Asian-Pacific areas, saying that the two-way trade and investment must continue and expand.

In his speech, Powell discussed the problem of SARS, saying that it has a serious impact on economic sectors such as tourism. He stressed the need of international cooperation over the issue, saying that experts are working around the clock in coordination with the region to prevent the spread of the disease.

The US Asia Pacific Council is a new organization set up by the East-West Center, a US education and research institution to strengthen relations and understanding among the nations in Asia. The new council is expected to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the Asian-Pacific areas.

US Trade Representative, Robert Zoellick, discussed the US trade strategy at the symposium Thursday. Leading speakers including Fred Bergsten, Director of the Institute for International Economics and President of East-West Center, Charles E. Morrison, offered their thoughts on major issues in the Asian-Pacific region and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)