Chinese President Hu Jintao has called on members of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the international community to increase cooperation to cope with global challenges, including the current financial crisis.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 7th ASEM Summit in Beijing on October 24, Mr Hu said, “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 deepen cooperation.”

He welcomed solutions adopted by ASEM member countries to minimise the negative effects of the crisis and affirmed that the Chinese Government will join hands with the international community to maintain the world’s financial and economic stability.

He highlighted the theme of the summit "Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win Solution" and said, “As the future of Asia and Europe has been increasingly tied to the future of the whole world, cooperation between Asia and Europe for win-win progress is our best option."

The Chinese President also called on Asia and Europe to actively respond to climate change, work for the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals and promote multilateral cooperation and reasonable settlement of regional and international issues of mutual concern for the sake of peace and development in the world.

In their speeches, the Finnish President, the European Commission President, the Brunei Sultan and the French President also urged the two continents to promote cooperation and dialogue for mutual benefit and win-win progress.

After the ceremony, ASEM leaders, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, attended the first closed session to exchange views on the current global economic situation and propose measures to overcome the economic turmoil.

During the two-day summit, Mr Dung is expected to introduce initiatives aimed at increasing cultural cooperation within ASEM, responding to climate change and ensuring food security.

Heads of State from 43 ASEM member countries, including 27 EU states, are attending the summit.

Source: VOV