Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong Saturday called for greater cooperation in higher education to enhance Asia's prosperity and development.

Liu made the remarks at opening of the Asian University Presidents Forum, which convened Saturday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, under the theme "Asian higher education and regional economic and society development."

"To build lasting peace and prosperity and harmony in Asia, it is essential to further expand the depth and breadth of cultural and education communication, and intensify the social foundation of Asian countries with friendship through the generations," she said.

Liu suggested China and other Asian nations should make higher education cooperation a priority and deepen exchanges and cooperation in talent cultivation, science research, social services and cultural transmission.

She called for new channels and content in communication between young people and increased cross-cultural communication ability.

China would welcome more students from other Asian countries to pursue advanced studies at Chinese universities of higher learning and was willing to make efforts to promote Asian higher education development, she said.

More than 80 university presidents from more than 20 Asian countries and regions attended the forum.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2010)