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Wen Jiabao arrives for Asia-Europe meeting Source: cntv.cn

ASEM summit concludes in Vientiane Asian and European leaders expressed on November 6 their willingness to consolidate ties between the two continents in efforts to realize joint development as the Ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit came to an end. Chinese premier arrives in Vientiane for Asia-Europe Meeting, Laos visit Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Vientiane November 4 night to attend the ninth annual Asia-Europe Meeting and pay an official visit to Laos.

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Premier Wen attends Asia-Europe summit in Laos
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing November 4 afternoon and arrived in Laos to attend the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit from November 4 to 6 and pay an official visit to Laos.

Global economy sets to top agenda at Asia-Europe Meeting
Final preparations for the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) were underway on November 4 with delegates from 51 members gathering for what has been termed the largest ever international event hosted by Laos.

Premier Wen not to meet Japanese counterpart during Laos summit
Premier Wen Jiabao will not meet with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda at Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM) in Laos.

Meeting Focus

The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting:

Theme: Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity Host: Laos Duration: Two days from November 5 to 6 Members: 51 members including three new –Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland. Delegates: Estimated 4,000 delegates

Focus

China: To expound on China's views on the global economic and financial situation and suggestions on strengthening Asia-Europe cooperation in a bid to boost stability of the world economy.
European: To provide an update on efforts to address tensions in financial markets, to restore confidence and to stimulate growth and jobs.
Australia: To speak about the need to continue free-trade talks as well as the Group of 20 (G20) agenda.
More:  Reform of international financial institutions  Protectionism  Terrorism  Piracy at sea  Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction  Energy security  Water resources management  Food security

China's Hopes

The Chinese side hopes the meeting can achieve results on the following four aspects:

 To consolidate the closer Asia-Europe economic partnership and promote the comprehensive, persistent and balanced development of the global economy and economy in Asian-European countries;

 To build more stable strategic mutual trust so as to lay a good foundation for Asian-European countries to deepen cooperation and tackle common challenge;

 To deepen pragmatic cooperation in various areas in order to increase the role and influence of the ASEM;

 To focus on the future of the ASEM so as to lay the foundation for the ASEM of a higher level.

Leaders' Voices

	Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Laos has witnessed substantial progress in many aspects since the carrying out of agreements reached by Chinese and Lao leaders at a time when global environment continues to undergo complicated challenges. It's even more crucial than ever for the two nations to have closer relations so as to contribute more to regional peace, stability and social advancement.
	Wen Jiabao, Chinese Premier: China and Laos are good neighbors, friends, and partners that trust each other and share a long-standing traditional friendship. Bilateral relations have developed smoothly, enjoying mutual political trust, sound economic cooperation and close coordination on multilateral occasions.
	Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, chair of ASEAN in 2012: The Summit is an important opportunity for Asia-Euro leaders to discuss regional and international issues, especially on food and energy security, sustainable development, economic and financial crisis, climate change, and natural disaster response.
	Benigno Aquino III, Philippine President: At a time when parts of Asia and Europe are beset by crisis and face uncertainty, it is important for leaders of the two regions to come face-to-face and discuss issues that burden their nations. Now more than ever, we have to link arms and identify the problems that have to be addressed, and for Asem nations to present solutions.
	Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian President: The state visit of the president to Laos will feasibly enhance bilateral relations between Indonesia and Laos in various fields, and promote the joint interests of the region, especially through ASEAN.
	Murray McCully, New Zealand Foreign Minister: I look forward to again meeting with the Vietnamese leadership. Vietnam is an increasingly important regional partner for New Zealand and we share a wide range of bilateral political, trade and economic interests.

Sino-Lao partnership

The ties between China and Laos have seen remarkable progress since the establishment of diplomatic relations 51 years ago, especially after the two sides established the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2009.

 Economic and trade cooperation:
The two-way trade volume between China and Laos increased to $1.3 billion in 2011, up 20.4 percent year-on-year, while the figure for the first nine months of this year reached $1.24 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 38.6 percent.

 Mutual trust and security cooperation:
The two countries has enjoyed deepened mutual trust and enhanced security cooperation, as showcased by the case of Myanmar drug lord Naw Kham, who was identified as the principal suspect in the slaughter of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River on October 5, 2011, and was transferred to China soon after his arrest in Laos last May.

 China's support:
To support Laos' hosting of the ASEM 9, China has sent leading enterprises in construction sector to assist the country in building a National Convention Center, the venue for this year's summit. Chinese companies have also actively involved in the reconstruction and extension of Vientiane Wattay International Airport, as well as the building of ASEM leaders' villa district and other supporting projects for the summit.

Comments

A precious opportunity for Asia, Europe to strengthen partnership
As promised, China will continue to help bring the euro debt crisis to an early end.

However, European leaders need to be reminded that such voluntary assistance is based on the smooth functioning of China's own economy, which could be well affected by increasing protectionist moves from the outside.

The ASEM Summit

The Asia-Euro forum was established in 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand. At the start, there were only 26 member states. To date, the number of members has increased to 48 countries, and the forthcoming ASEM-9 will welcome three new members including Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland. 

Chronology

Launched in 1996, the biennial ASEM summit has provided a venue for dialogue between Asian and European countries, with its members from the European Commission, the ASEAN Secretariat and 49 countries after the expected accession of Bangladesh, Switzerland and Norway at this summit.

Serving as an important platform for countries in Asia and Europe to enhance understanding, expand consensus, and deepen cooperation, ASEM is a high-level and broad-ranging forum among governments of different Asian and European countries.

Previous summits