Distinguished Guests,


Ladies and Gentlemen,


On the occasion of the ASEM Science and Technology Minister's Meeting, I would like to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, our warm welcome to the ministers of science and technology and other distinguished guests present at the meeting.


At the second ASEM held in London in April 1998, the leaders of all the participating countries agreed that there is a tremendous potential for Asia-Europe scientific and technological cooperation and made positive response to the proposal of convening the ASEM S&T Ministers' Meeting. In the past year and more, all the ASEM members have worked together for the successful convocation of this meeting. The convocation of this Meeting added a new page to the annals of Asia-Europe scientific and technical cooperation and is a big event in the history of the friendly relation and cooperation between the two continents.


Both Asia and Europe are major origins of human civilization. There has been a long history of S&T exchanges between the two continents. Even in the ancient times, our ancestors were engaged in a two-way dissemination and exchanges of advanced scientific and technological inventions through the ancient Silk Road, benefiting the people of both continents and contribution to world civilization.


In today's world, science and technology advance by leaps and bounds and all countries are attaching greater importance to the important role of scientific and technical advancement in socio-economic development, The scientific and technological exchanges, economic cooperation and trade between states have become an important component of international relations.


At present, Asia and European countries are all faced with many problems related to their socio-economic development. Their solution involves basic research, application of scientific research results to industrial production, agricultural development, environmental protection, clean production technologies, upgrading the enterprise capabilities for technical innovation and human resources development. In this context, Asia-Europe scientific and technological cooperation has a great relevance and strong complementarity. We firmly believe that so long as countries on the two continents adhere to the principles of equality and mutual benefit, respecting intellectual property rights, and proceed from the long term and common interests, they will be able to smoothly create a new situation of Asia-Europe scientific and technological cooperation oriented towards 21st century and score even more brilliant achievements for human civilization and progress.


The Chinese Government has always attached importance to the development of science and technology. In the past 50 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China has, through arduous efforts, made substantial progress in developing its science and technology which has played an important role on boosting China's economic growth, increasing its overall national strength and improving the quality of its people's life. The Chinese Government pays much attention to scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation with other countries. So far china has set up S&T cooperative relationship with 152 countries and regions and joined over 800 international academic organizations.


We are keenly aware that the present scientific and technological level in China is not adequate to meet the needs of its economic and social development. It has become a pressing task to implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through progress in science and education and go all out for scientific and technical advancement. Since the beginning of this year, China has stepped up its efforts for the reform of its science and technology system and formulated a series of important policies related to investment, trade, banking, taxation, IPR protection and awarding scientific achievements. There is a good opportunity for S&T cooperation between China and other Asian and European countries.


Reform and opening-up are the only way to modernization for China. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles we may encounter, we Chinese people will unswervingly keep to the road of reform and opening-up and work vigorously to promote the mutually beneficial cooperation among Asian and European countries in all areas.


Ladies and Gentlemen,


To strengthen S&T exchanges and cooperation has become the consensus of the statesmen, the science community, and the business community in Asia and European countries. The convocation of this meeting will undoubtedly help tap the potential of Asia-Europe S&T cooperation, increase the channels for such cooperation and exchanges, establish an effective mechanism of cooperation, facilitate the S&T cooperation within the framework of ASEM and produce a positive impact on the Asia-Europe economic and technological cooperation in the 21st century. The Asia-Europe S&T cooperation will make its due contribution to the realization of the ASEM purpose, that is, to create conditions favorable for economic and social development and establish a pro-economic growth new comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe.


I wish this Meeting a complete success.


Thank you.