Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday explained China's
position on various international issues in a keynote speech
delivered at the end of the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
summit.
China's stand on multilateralism, sustained development, energy
security, globalization, the future of ASEM and other major
international issues was covered in the address.
Building an environmentally-friendly society
Addressing the closing ceremony of the summit in Helsinki,
Finland, Wen said China is determined to build an
environmentally-friendly society. He pointed out that energy and
the environment are the two big issues the country has faced in its
economic development.
Properly handling these issues is not only important to China
but will also make a contribution to the world at large, Wen
stressed. China has actively participated in the international
cooperation on climate change and honored its commitments.
Wen said the Chinese government has adopted measures to save
energy and increase utilization efficiency in an effort to build an
energy-saving and environmentally-friendly society.
Enhancing the UN's ability to tackle threats
Regarding the function of the UN, Wen called for the enhancement
of the organization's ability to tackle threats and challenges. He
said China insists that international disputes be solved through
dialogue and negotiations and not through force or the threat of
force.
China agrees to deepen anti-terrorism cooperation but opposes
the application of double standards in fighting the threat.
Wen called on the international community to safeguard the
authority and effectiveness of the exiting multilateral agreement
on nuclear non-proliferation by formulating comprehensive export
control systems.
Globalization presents opportunities and challenges
Wen said globalization has brought valuable opportunities but
also presented great challenges for Asian and European countries.
He said these countries should strengthen their coordination and
cooperation to raise their competitiveness and ability to prevent
risks.
The developed countries should assist the developing ones with
debt-relief, finance, technology and aid, to help them improve
their abilities to deal with growing globalization, he said.
The developed countries should also display their political will
and more flexibility in reducing agricultural subsidies and
tariffs in a bid to pave the way for resuming the Doha Round trade
talks under the World Trade Organization, he added.
Blueprint for next ASEM summit
Wen mapped out the blueprint for the next ASEM summit to be held
in Beijing. "China is to host the 7th ASEM summit in October 2008,"
he said. "I'm looking forward to joining hands with all leaders
here to make concerted efforts to deepen the strategic dialogue
between Asia and Europe."
At the Beijing summit China will work together with ASEM
partners to promote trade and economic cooperation between the two
continents and conduct more cultural exchanges and dialogues
between different countries to make greater contributions to
deepening the Asia-Europe partnership, he said.
Over the past two days the leaders from Asia and Europe had
summarized their experiences and achievements over the past 10
years since the founding of ASEM and they had also mapped out a
blueprint for the future development of the group, Wen said.
Other major international issues
Wen also urged ASEM members to cooperate in preventing and
controlling infectious diseases especially bird flu.
As for the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wen said the most
important task now is to resume the six-party talks as soon as
possible. He urged all parties involved to exercise restraint.
Wen said diplomatic negotiations are the best way to solve the
Iranian nuclear issue. He added that Iran should pay enough
attention to the world's concerns and take constructive measures
over the issue.
Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Wen said disputes
should be settled through political negotiations under the
guideline of "land for peace."
At the conclusion of the summit, Asian and European leaders
formally accepted India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bulgaria and Romania
as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Secretariat into ASEM.
The two-day summit, which started on Sunday, brought together
leaders and top officials from the EU's 25 member states and 13
Asian countries.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)