Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji yesterday put forward five proposals for the strengthening of cooperation between Asia and Europe in the new century.

In an address to the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Zhu said that it was of great significance for the ASEM leaders to get together to discuss the important issue of cooperation at this historic moment, the dawn of a new century.

Zhu and leaders from the other 24 ASEM member states and the European Union (EU) are attending the two-day summit which opened yesterday morning in Seoul.

After reviewing achievements ASEM had made in the partnership based on equality between Asia and Europe since its first summit in Bangkok in 1996, Zhu urged greater efforts to be made in expanding bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, scientific, technological and other areas.

First, he recommended enlarging Asia-Europe cooperation in trade and investment in response to the need to optimize the industrial structure.

To make a new breakthrough in bilateral economic cooperation, Zhu called on the two continents to enhance cooperation in developing high-tech industries and upgrading traditional ones with state-of-the-art technologies, to work more closely with each other in the financial field, and to open more markets to each other.

He appealed to ASEM's European members to make greater efforts in the transfer of technology, invest more in Asian countries by participating in the reorganization and reform process of Asia's large and medium-sized enterprises, and develop joint equity or joint ventures.

Secondly, Zhu urged increased scientific and technological exchanges and deepened cooperation between the two continents.

He noted that there is a "tremendous potential" in scientific and technological cooperation between Asia and Europe.

Though great progress has been achieved in this respect since the convocation of ASEM Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Beijing last October, the two sides should "focus on the research and development of high technology, and conduct all forms of cooperation and exchanges in the development of information technology and its application in particular," so that government administration, public services and the production and operation of enterprises will be more information-based, Zhu said.

Citing human resources development as an important factor for economic growth and an essential sector of Asia-Europe cooperation, the Chinese premier asked the ASEM members to attach importance to training and fostering talented people and promoting cooperation in education.

In the fourth place, Zhu suggested focusing on sustainable development and promoting cooperation in the sectors of environmental protection and agriculture.

He predicted bright prospects in cooperation concerning environmental protection as ASEM's developed members have their strengths in environment-related technological research and development, while their Asian developing partners are attaching increasingly greater importance to sustainable development.

He suggested that an ASEM Meeting of Environment Ministers be held to push forward environmental cooperation within the ASEM framework.

Lastly, the premier asked the ASEM members to strive to create conditions for opening up new dimensions of cooperation between Asia and Europe.

Saying that the two continents have much to do in carrying out extensive cultural exchanges and cooperation and intensifying consultation and cooperation in combating cross-border crimes and banning drugs, Zhu urged to vigorously initiate and enhance cooperation and exchanges in these arenas in an orderly manner.

With no conflict of fundamental interests, Asia and Europe have maintained good political relations, Zhu said.

Zhu hoped that in the process of cooperation and contacts, both sides will adhere to the principles of respecting each other, treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences and seeking consensus, and earnestly conduct political dialogue.

By dosing so, he said, "Asia and Europe will be able to deepen mutual understanding, reduce differences, increase trust and expand consensus by seeking the convergence of common interests, and make ASEM a model for intercontinental cooperation based on equality and an important force for promoting the establishment of a fair and reasonable new international political and economic order."

"We look forward to and are full of confidence in the establishment of a long-term stable partnership based on equality between Asia and Europe," he said, adding, "China will stand ready to work with other ASEM members for an even brighter future for the two continents and the world as a whole."

(Eastday.com.cn 10/22/2000)