Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang said in Shanghai Sunday that China has prepared well for the upcoming 60th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) of the United Nations.  

At a press conference held here, Shen said delegates from 62 ESCAP members or semi-members are scheduled to discuss social and economic development in the region, poverty relief, globalization and other issues of common concern.

Shen expected that there might be a Shanghai Declaration and other documents approved by the session, to be held from April 22 to 28.

World dignitaries and delegates to the session will include UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun, former Pakistani President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, and former Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Peter Kenilorea.

Shen also said Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong will attend the session's opening ceremony.

Former Vice Premier Qian Qichen will attend the High-level Visionary Meeting for Asia and the Pacific 2020 and the Briefing on the United Nations High-Level Panel on Threats.

Shen said the Chinese side hopes to strengthen regional cooperation with other ESCAP members.

China also hopes the meeting will promote the UN role in the Asian Pacific, Shen said.

The ESCAP originated from the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), which was established in 1947 in Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2004)