The seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 24, 2008. Leaders from 45 Asian and European nations and organizations began their summit in Beijing on Friday afternoon, with agenda to be dominated by tackling the global financial crisis.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presides over the opening ceremony of the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 24, 2008.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers a keynote speech "Asia-Europe cooperation best option for win-win progress" at the opening ceremony of the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit held in Beijing on October 24, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)