We warmly welcome the convening of asia-europe meeting in london. Leaders from the two great continents are expected to continue their pursuit of dialogue and cooperation which was initiated in bangkok. Great changes have taken place in asia, europe, and the rest of the world since the bangkok meeting, and this will definitely exert rather profound influence over asia-europe relationship. The bangkok conference, like most primary sessions of this type seems to be the most symbolic and realistic significance, demonstrating that asia is playing an increasing role in the world arena.

However, this are strong hopes that the current asia europe summit will turn out to be more pragmatic and specific with constructive outcomes. Specifically, two improvements will give the conference substance. First, the biannual summit should become an anuual one, just like the G7 and APEC conferences. Given their different cultures, histories and political systems of the members, frequent high level exchanges between the asian and european nations are indispensable to better mutual understanding. Second, a standing consultant organ should be set up to study and analyze the important issues in the fields of economy, trade and finance of the two continents. If there had been such an establishment in the past, it might have given early warning to the potential asian financial crisis and the economic situation might have not been as serious as we have seen today.

Equality is the foundation for asia europe cooperation. And certainly, it should serve as the principle for asia europe summit. If leaders from asia and europe want to be friends, they should be sitting at the same table on the basis of equality. That equality should be all-weather and unconditional. Wether its economy is on the rise or distructed by troubles like the recent financial crisis, asia is equal to europe.

Objectively speaking, some asian countries are now involved to criticism because of the crisis. Asia’s method of economic growth, its financial systems and foreign trade policies are all questioned and challenged inside and outside the region. These commence and criticism are inevitable and not at all surprizing. Prior to the crisis, asia has been widly praised for its admirable achievements. Now it is harmless and helpful for this most populous and biggest continent to have some verbal attacks.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. The london summit provides a very good opportunity for the european leaders to show their sincerity. They hope to help asia tide over the trouble and intend to take some concrete steps. It is clear for those with strategic vision that asia won’t decline after this crisis. Asia europe cooperation is by no means an expedient measure. To invest in that cooperation today suggest abundant harvest tomorrow.