The financial crisis and other major issues challenging the world will be discussed in the upcoming summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), according to Liu Jieyi, China's assistant foreign minister.

"The ASEM summit would be convened under the special international circumstance," said Liu at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

He added the financial situation was in turbulence and the three major challenges, including food safety, climate change and energy issues, were interwoven.

Under the theme of dialogue, cooperation, mutual benefit and common prosperity, the summit would touch upon these issues.

The seventh ASEM summit will be held in Beijing from October 24 to 25. At present, most foreign members had confirmed their attendance.

Liu said all members would focus on disaster-relief cooperation, the promotion of trade and investment, sustainable development and strengthening dialogue.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend the meeting and Premier Wen Jiabao will preside over the meetings and a welcoming banquet.

Leaders from four coordinators, including China, the EU commission, Brunei and France, would hold a joint press conference after the summit, Liu said, adding several bilateral meetings would also be held.

"A chairman's statement is expected to be passed to reflect all members' stance on the major issues, outlining the key areas of cooperation in the future."

Other documents will also be passed to improve the substantial cooperation on three major areas, including political, economic cooperation as well as social and cultural exchange.

"This is another important event for China after the Beijing Olympic Games," Liu said.

The 45-member ASEM, established in 1996, is a high-level forum between governments of Asia and Europe. It aims at creating better conditions for cooperation between the two continents through strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding.

China has long been an ASEM advocator. Chinese premiers have attended all ASEM summits since 1996 and proposed to build up a new-type of Asia-Europe partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)