China's speedy development in the
past 20 years is closely associated with international cooperation,
thus China likes to push forward economic cooperation with ASEM
members and other countries, said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi
when addressing the opening ceremony of the fifth ASEM Economic
Ministers' Meeting.
The meeting officially convened in
Dalian Thursday morning. More than 250 delegates from 26 ASEM
members discussed six main issues like world economy, WTO talks,
trade and investment facilitation, Asia-Europe cooperation,
etc.
Vice Premier Wu also promised that
the Chinese government will continue its reform and opening-up
policy, fulfilling its commitment toward the World Trade
Organization.
In recent years, China has quickened
its pace to establish a free trade zone with ASEAN and strengthen
its economic ties with the European Union and East Asian countries.
Among the ASEM members, Japan is the biggest trade partner of
China, while EU, ASEAN and the Republic of Korea rank third, fifth
and sixth respectively.
She also hoped that the meeting will
lay foundations for the upcoming Cancun WTO Ministerial
Conference.
"The recent Iraqi War, SARS
epidemic, the forex fluctuation of the US dollar and a series of
terrorist activities have slowed down the recovery of the world
economy. I believe that through the ASEM Economic Ministers'
Meeting, Asian and European leaders will exchange opinions and seek
solutions to accelerate recovery," Wu said.
As for the SARS epidemic,
Wu?expressed first on behalf of the Chinese government thanks
for the support from ASEM member countries. She said that the
epidemic had caused a negative impact on China's tourism,
restaurants, hotels and transportation, but these SARS-hit
industries were rebounding quickly after WHO lifted the travel
warning and removed Beijing from the SARS list on June 24.
"The negative impact of SARS on
China's economy is only short-term. We are confident of 7 percent
economic growth this year," Wu pointed out.
China's GDP increased 8.2 percent in
the first half year, while the volume of import and export reached
US$376.1 billion. In addition, the actual utilized foreign direct
investment from January to June reached US$30.2 billion, up 34.33
percent over the same period last year.
"China has set the goal to build a
well-off society with GDP of US$4 trillion in 2020. Meanwhile, the
total volume of import and export will also be doubled. The goal
not only benefits the Chinese, but also contributes to the world
economy," she said.
The representatives from four ASEM
coordinators -- European Commission, Italy, Japan and Vietnam --
also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
Chairman's Statement of the Fifth
ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting is expected to be released after
the meeting concludes this afternoon.
The next ASEM Economic Ministers'
Meeting will be held in the European port city of Rotterdam in
2004. Robert Madelin, director for Trade Relations with Asia under
the European Union, had formally invited Economic Ministers of ASEM
members to visit European port City Rotterdam at Wednesday's news
conference.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang
Fuchun, July 24, 2003)