Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao said Sunday that to create a win-win situation through
closer cooperation and stronger efforts for development is the only
way to make Asia's renewal possible.
"It is also where the fundamental interests of Asian peoples
lie," said Wen at the second annual conference of the Boao Forum
which opened Sunday at the island town of southernmost China's Hainan
Province.
With the theme of Asia Searching for Win-Win: Development
through Cooperation, the two-day meeting brings together more than
1200 delegates worldwide, including incumbent and former heads of
state and government, entrepreneurs and scholars.
"The new situation in this new century has provided Asia with
many new opportunities for development," Wen said.
Peace and development remains the main themes of the era, he
said, adding that with an international environment of overall
peace, Asia enjoys some favorable external conditions for its
development.
Surging economic globalization, rapidly advancing technological
revolution, and quickening pace in the reshuffle of international
production factors and transfer of industries are helpful for Asian
countries to utilize foreign capital, absorb production know-how,
penetrate deeper into the global market and promote economic growth
at home, he said.
"With abundant natural resources and broad market, Asia is the
world's most dynamic region economically and has a vast potential
for development," the premier noted.
Meanwhile, Asia is also faced with new challenges, and
impediments to peace and development still exist.
Traditional and non-traditional threats are interwoven and make
the security situation a lot more complicated, he said.
"The unfair and inequitable old international political and
economic order remains largely intact," Wen said, adding that
economic, scientific and technological competitions among countries
have become increasingly heated.
"The on-going economic recovery in the world is not only
slow-paced but laden with risks," he said.
In addition, many Asian countries face some tough fights at home
in terms of economic structure, financial system, environment and
international competitiveness.
To maintain peace and stability is the basic prerequisite for a
win-win Asia, the premier said, stressing, "Without a peaceful
environment, without social stability, there can be no development
to speak of, and the opportunities are likely to slip through our
fingers."
"We should proceed from the larger interests of Asia's
development, cultivate a new security concept featuring mutual
trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, and conduct
ourselves in such spirits as mutual respect, amicable coexistence
and seeking common ground while setting aside differences."
"We should opt for dialog in resolving disputes, step up
cooperation in maintaining security, and bring about lasting peace
and stability in Asia through the establishment of a new
international political and economic order that is fair and
rational," Wen said.
To promote development and prosperity is an important foundation
for a win-win Asia, the premier said.
Noting Asian countries differ from one another in national
condition, economic development level and cultural tradition, Wen
said, "Their choices for the paths and mode of development should
be fully respected since they were made in the light of the
diversity."
Asian countries should give scope to their respective strengths,
open their markets to each other, draw upon each other's advantages
amid competition and achieve common development through
cooperation.
The developed countries should provide more funds and technical
support to the developing countries, helping them to achieve growth
and enhance their capacity to participate in international economic
cooperation and competition, he said.
Noting that to step up regional cooperation and exchanges is an
effective way to achieve a win-win situation in Asia, Wen said, "We
should deepen regional and sub-regional cooperation in keeping with
such principles as diversity in forms, mutual benefit, reciprocity
and gradual progress."
He said that in recent years, thanks to concerted efforts by
Asian countries, cooperation of multiple forms has grown stronger,
such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China (10+1), ASEAN plus
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (10+3), China, Japan
and ROK, ASEAN and India, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and other
mechanisms.
"A gratifying situation of sound, mutually beneficial and open
cooperation is in the offing in Asia," he added.
The premier stressed that Asian countries should build on the
existing cooperation mechanisms, explore new ones and expand the
scope of cooperation while improving the quality of
cooperation.
To persist in openness and cooperation with the rest of the
world is a must for a win-win Asia, he said.
"Asia cannot rejuvenate in isolation of the world, and the world
also needs Asia for prosperity and progress," Wen said.
Describing the world as a colorful place of diversity, Wen said
Asia should open herself to the finest achievements of all
civilizations and draw upon the successful experience of
development of others in order to achieve development.
"We have to admit that it is the regions and countries outside
Asia that have led the world at the economic, scientific and
technological fronts in modern times."
"We should learn from them while taking advantage of the ongoing
economic globalization," said Wen, who called on Asian counties to
do a better job in promoting their development and progress by
opening to the rest of the world and engaging them with closer
cooperation.
The premier said the sustained and rapid growth of the Chinese
economy has not only benefited the Chinese people, but also made
the people in the rest of Asia and other parts of the world more
prosperous.
Having overcome the difficulties caused by the SARS outbreak and
serious natural disasters, China enjoys an impressive economic
growth and all-round progress in all its undertakings.
Between January and September this year, China's GDP grew by 8.5
percent compared with the same period of last year.
Foreign trade also went up substantially, with export jumping
32.3 percent to 307.7 billion US dollars and import soaring 40.5
percent to 298.6 billion dollars.
"Our total import from the rest of Asia increased by 43.1
percent, with imports from Japan, the Republic of Korea, India and
ASEAN countries growing by 39.7 percent, 52.8 percent, 85.3
percent, and 54.5 percent respectively," Wen said.
"China is an important member of Asia," the premier noted.
Since the founding of New China in 1949, especially since the
adoption of reform and opening-up policy 25 years ago, China has
sustained a rapid economic development, increased its overall
national strength remarkably and delivered, by and large, a
comfortable living standard for its citizens.
The weight of China's economy in Asian and global economies has
increased steadily, and since much of its import and export trade
is conducted within Asia, China is playing an increasing role in
Asia's economic development, he said.
It is the consistent policy of the Chinese government to work
for an Asia that enjoys development, rejuvenation, peace and
stability, the premier said.
China's Asia policy is aimed at achieving peace, security,
cooperation and prosperity, said Wen. To promote cooperation,
development and a win-win situation in Asia, China will:
-- engage the fellow Asian countries, in a spirit of mutual
respect and equality, in cultivating a regional political
environment where all countries, big or small, can live with one
another in peace and tranquility;
-- deepen cooperation with the fellow Asian countries, strive
for common development and create a regional development
environment where all can enjoy prosperity;
-- strengthen mutual trust and coordination with the fellow
Asian countries and shape a regional security environment of
lasting stability; and
-- intensify exchanges and emulations with the fellow Asian
countries, and bring about a regional cultural environment of rich
diversity.
"One has every reason to believe that a dynamic, strong and
prosperous China, a China that is dedicated to world peace and
development and a China that never seeks hegemony for itself, will
make fresh contributions to Asia's rejuvenation and renewal," he
concluded.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2003)