Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday hailed the marked achievements of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) since its first meeting in 1996, saying it had become an important platform for Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation.

"In response to the new requirements of the times, Asia and Europe should make better use of this platform to increase dialogue, expand consensus, enhance trust and deepened cooperation," Hu said when addressing the opening ceremony of the Seventh ASEM.

Hu called on Asian and European countries to respect each other's social system, ideology, cultural background and development model, and better appreciate each other's development policies and goals.

"We should embrace an open attitude and make full use of our strong economic complementarities to deepen existing cooperation, develop new areas of cooperation and properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultations on an equal footing," Hu said.

He suggested Asia and Europe intensify coordination and cooperation to jointly meet global challenges, promote stability in the international energy and food markets, strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and reduction.

Asia and Europe should also actively respond to climate change, work for the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals, promote multilateralism and the proper settlement of international and regional hot-spot issues, and advance peace and development of the world, he said.

The two sides should carry forward the spirit of equality, openness and inclusiveness, advocate the harmonious coexistence and mutual learning among civilizations and work together for the prosperity and progress of human civilization, the Chinese president added.

"It is an integral part of China's foreign policy to strengthen and grow friendly relations and cooperation with countries in Asia and Europe," Hu said.

China will continue to live in harmony and seek common development with other Asian countries, advance mutually beneficial cooperation with the European Union (EU) and its members, deepen China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, take an active part in the ASEM process and contribute its share to Asia-Europe cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)