We are pleased to find that, thanks to the concerted efforts of all ASEM members, there have emerged in ASEM a sound momentum for economic cooperation and a good atmosphere for political dialogue.
"In the past year and more, all the ASEM members worked together for the successful convocation of this meeting."
But still ASEAN refused to allow any mention in the closing ASEM chairman's statement even of the EU's aspiration to join.
Apart from the summit meeting, ASEM also includes meetings of ministers of foreign affairs, finance, economy and culture where cooperation in a particular field is consulted on a regular basis.
We should strengthen our coordination in ASEM follow-up activities.
The central task of this ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which coincides with the turn of the century, is to make preparations for the 3rd ASEM Summit Meeting to be held in this year 2000.
She also discussed the Philiphine government's policies with regard to the ASEAN, the WTO, and the upcoming ASEM and APEC conference.
ASEM has yet to prove its necessity.
As an ASEM member, China has consistently supported and actively participated in the Asia-Europe cooperation.
The emergence of ASEM has been a strategic choice for closer Asia-Europe exchanges and cooperation against the backdrop of the new international situation.
This will give a great impetus to the ASEM process.
Q: Is there any possibility of a China-Japan summit on the margins of ASEM in Belgium next week?
The Chinese, South Korean and North Korean delegations were reported to have met on the sidelines of the ASEM meeting, but no results of that meeting were made public.
Q: Japan hopes to arrange a meeting between its Prime Minister and Chinese Premier on the sidelines of ASEM next month. Will China accept the proposal?
The 2nd ASEM Inter-Faith Dialogue will be held in Cyprus in 2006.
China attaches importance to and supports the ASEM process and has actively participated in all the ASEM follow-up activities.
The ASEM Trust Fund established at ASEM II has already been launched, which testifies to the resolve of the two continents to tide over the financial crisis in their joint efforts.
The ASEM process is aimed at promoting not only inter-governmental cooperation among Asian and European countries but also and more importantly, closer exchanges between people of the two regions.
The eighth ASEM will officially absorb Russia, Australia and New Zealand and as a result will have a total number of 48 participating parties.
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