On September 28, 2010, during a briefing held by the Foreign Ministry for both Chinese and foreign media, Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying and Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun introduced the background, major activities and significance of Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Greece, Belgium, Italy and Turkey and participation in the eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the thirteenth EU-China Summit in Brussels from October 2 to 9, 2010 and answered questions of journalists. Deputy Director-General of the Information Department Tian Qi chaired the briefing which was attended by nearly 100 Chinese and foreign journalists.
Fu said that at present both the international situation and the international system are experiencing fundamental changes. The global economy recovers slowly on a foundation which is not solid yet and the in-depth impact of the international financial crisis is still lingering. Faced with global challenges, no matter China-EU or Asia-Europe, they all enjoy the same interest and shoulder the same responsibility. The two sides should support each other, strengthen coordination and conduct close cooperation. Premier Wen's upcoming visit to Eurasia aims at reinforcing the friendship, enhancing mutual trust, expanding common consensus and deepening cooperation with all parties concerned, stepping up joint efforts of handling global challenges, promoting each other's development and boosting the harmonious and sustainable development of the world.
I. Visit to Greece
Fu said that China and Greece enjoy traditional friendship and sustained progress of all-round strategic partnership over the years and maintain frequent high-level exchanges and solid political mutual trust. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation keeps growing and a cooperative pattern with priority on marine transport and covering other areas has been established between the two countries. Based on a solid foundation, the bilateral cultural and educational exchanges are fruitful. The two sides also keep sound communications and cooperation on both international and regional issues.
During Premier Wen's visit to Greece, leaders of both countries will make an all-round review of the 38 years of development of bilateral ties, plan the future development of bilateral relations and exchange in-depth views on jointly tackling the international financial crisis, pushing forward the pragmatic cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, marine transport, culture and education and consolidating and developing China-EU relations. They will issue a joint statement on deepening China-Greece all-round strategic partnership. At invitation, Premier Wen will also make a speech to the Greek Parliament on China's relations with Greece and EU.
II. Visit to Belgium
Fu noted that China and Belgium have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and conducted extensive cooperation in recent years. Belgium has actively promoted the development of China-EU relations since it took the rotation presidency of EU in July this year and as the host country has made sound communications and coordination with China on the eighth ASEM and the thirteenth EU-China Summit.
China-Belgium diplomatic relations will have the 40th anniversary shortly after Premier Wen's visit. Leaders of both countries will exchange opinions on the future development of bilateral ties and China-EU relations and witness the signing of relevant cooperation agreements on nuclear energy and communication.
III. Visit to Italy
Fu said that China-Italy relations have progressed steadily since the two countries established diplomatic ties 40 years ago. China and Italy enjoy continual high-level exchanges, deep political mutual trust, dynamic trade and economic cooperation and expanding mutual investment. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation in the fields of culture, science, technology and environmental protection is deep fruitful.
During the visit, leaders of both countries will review the 40 years of development of bilateral relations and the achievements of their friendly cooperation and plan the future development of bilateral ties. The two sides will sign a dozen of cooperation documents on justice, culture, science, technology and environmental protection, release a three-year action plan on strengthening China-Italy economic cooperation and define the key areas and projects of bilateral pragmatic cooperation. Premier Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the celebration on the 40th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties & the Year of Chinese Culture event and hold talks with entrepreneurs of both countries.
IV. Visit to Turkey
Zhai said that China and Turkey have a long history of friendly exchanges. The bilateral relations have developed rapidly since the two countries established diplomatic ties 39 years ago. In particular, China and Turkey enjoy frequent high-level exchanges and increasing political mutual trust in recent years. The bilateral trade and economic cooperation grows stably with bilateral trade volume exceeding US$10 billion in 2009. The bilateral partnership in the fields of mutual investment, transport and energy also move forward steadily. The high-speed railway from Ankara to Istanbul has become a landmark project of bilateral project contracting cooperation. Different levels of exchange between the political parties, parliament, local governments and civil organizations of both countries get closer and the bilateral cooperation in the areas of culture, education and tourism is also fruitful. China and Turkey enjoy wide common interest on maintaining world peace, promoting common development and tackling global challenges.
During the visit, Premier Wen and Turkish leaders will jointly plan the blueprint of bilateral ties and exchange in-depth opinions on further strengthening the high-level contacts and broadening and deepening the bilateral cooperation on trade and economy, investment, finance, energy, transport, culture and education. He will also meet with delegates of Turkish business community and hold talks with personnel from Turkish cultural community in Istanbul.
V. Attending the Eighth ASEM
Fu said that ASEM is an important inter-governmental forum for Asian and European countries to conduct political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation and social and cultural exchanges on the basis of mutual respect, equality and openness, step-by-step progress and consensus through consultations. Asia-Europe cooperation faces new development opportunities at present. All the participating countries attach great importance to the summit and hope to strengthen coordination and cooperation, jointly cope with global challenges and create a mutually beneficial and win-win situation for both Asia and Europe.
With the theme of improving the quality of life: achieving greater well-being and more dignity for all citizens, the eighth ASEM to be held in Brussels, Belgium from October 4 to 5 will discuss the topics of global financial and economic governance, sustainable growth, social and cultural exchange between Asia and Europe and future development of ASEM as well as international and regional issues. The eighth ASEM will officially absorb Russia, Australia and New Zealand and as a result will have a total number of 48 participating parties.
China expects the eighth ASEM to achieve the following results: first, promote the balanced and sustained recovery and growth of world economy; second, accelerate the international economic governance and reform of financial system; third, actively cope with climate change and effectively boost the sustainable development; fourth, join hands to tackle global challenges and maintain peace and stability of Asia and Europe; fifth, push forward the stable and healthy development of ASEM.
Premier Wen will stress the importance of treating and promoting Asia-Europe cooperation from a strategic height and long-term point of view in line with the situation and progress of Asia-Europe cooperation since last ASEM and appeal to the two sides to work together to boost the balanced and sustained recovery of world economy, accelerate the international economic governance and reform of international financial system, adhere to the road of sustainable development, facilitate exchanges among cultures and civilizations in the world, address global challenges and security threats and maintain peace and stability of Asia and Europe.
VI. Attending the Thirteenth EU-China Summit
Fu indicated that China-EU relations develop soundly in general. Politically, both sides attach importance to deepening the bilateral all-round strategic partnership. Premier Wen visited EU twice and attended EU-China Summit twice last year, which boosted confidence of China and EU to jointly cope with the crisis as strategic partners. Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have maintained frequent high-level exchanges. A number of EU leaders visited China, China-EU strategic dialogue is upgraded and the first round of dialogue was very fruitful. In the field of trade and economy, the bilateral relations have stood the test of financial crisis. The bilateral trade has resumed strong growth this year and exceeded US$300 billion in the first 8 months with a year-on-year growth rate of 36.2%. It not only comes back to level before the financial crisis but also expects to reach a historical record by the end of this year. After the outbreak of sovereign debt crisis in European countries, China has extended firm support for the European side with tangible actions, including announcing not to reduce its Euro bonds, sending trade and investment promotion delegation to Europe and increasing imports from Europe. So far, China has become the second largest export market of EU. China's efforts of supporting EU in handling the crisis also promote EU's integration process.
As the first summit held after the Lisbon Treaty came into effect, the thirteenth summit will serve as a new starting point. China hopes to achieve the following goals through the summit: first, define the development direction of China-EU relations from a macro and strategic point of view; second, plan the next step of China-EU pragmatic cooperation in various fields and coordinate the China-EU dialogue mechanism; third, strengthen China-EU communication and coordination on global issues and jointly push for positive results of the G20 Seoul Summit and the climate change conference in Cancun.
 |
 |