Foreign Ministers from 25 ASEM member states and EU External Relations Commissioner were present at the meeting, with the theme of strengthening Asia-Europe partnership in the new century.

Addressing the meeting, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, on the behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed his warm welcome to delegates and heartfelt congratulations to the convocation of the meeting.

"In the first year of the new century, it is of great significance for foreign ministers of the ASEM member states to meet in Beijing and discuss major plans for Asia-Europe cooperation," Jiang said.

He said, "Leaders and people of countries in Asia and Europe have made persistent efforts to explore and create new communication channels and cooperation frameworks. This not only contributes to the economic and social progress of their respective countries and helps establish a new type of Asia-Europe partnership of equality, but it is of great importance to world peace, stability and development."

Jiang said the emergence of ASEM has been a strategic choice for closer Asia-Eurpope exchanges and cooperation against the backdrop of the new international situation.

Over the past five years, he said, ASEM has initiated extensive dialogues and cooperation of various forms. Leaders in Asia and Europe have had useful discussions on some major regional and world issues. The two sides have pushed the Asia-Europe relations to a greater depth through exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economic relations and trade, finance, science and technology, culture and environment.

On the future development of ASEM, Jiang said, ASEM should be developed as a role model for inter-continental cooperation based on equality. Mutually beneficial cooperation as such between equal partners should be advocated in developing all bilateral and multilateral relations. ASEM should become a major channel for exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations.

The Chinese President said the two continents have mutual interests in maintaining world peace and enhancing common development.

"It is imperative to abide by the UN charter and the universally-acknowledged basic principles of international law, strengthen consultation, coordination and cooperation, properly handle major political, security and economic questions, and pay close attention to the interests and demands of the vast number of developing countries," he added.

He pointed out that ASEM should play a constructive role in helping build a just and rational new international political and economic order and carry forward the lofty cause of peace and development in the world.

Before the opening the ceremony, President Jiang had a group picture taken with ASEM foreign ministers. Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan was present at the meeting.

(People's Daily 05/25/2001)