In the past 13 years, ASEM has seen growing importance. The aggregated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ASEM members now accounts for half of the world GDP and their trade takes up sixty percent of world total.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi put it, ASEM is a government-level forum between Asia and Europe of the highest level and largest scale.

With deepening globalizations, it is believed that the destinies of Asian and European countries are tied together and their cooperation draws worldwide attention. Joining hands to overcome difficulties for a win-win situation and mutual benefit is the only strategic option for Asian and European countries.

China, the world largest developing country, has been committed to promoting Asia-Europe cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the meeting made five proposals for ASEM to intensify cooperation, deepen mutual trust and build a new and closer Asia-Europe partnership.

It is hoped that ASEM members could effectively join hands to turn the challenges into opportunity and lift world economy out of the downturn.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)