Speech by Chairman Wu Bangguo

Of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

At the Opening Ceremony of

The ASEM Prosecutors-General Conference

(Shenzhen, 9 December 2005)

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the occasion of the convocation of the ASEM Prosecutors-General Conference, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people and also in my own name, our warm congratulations, and our cordial welcome to all the distinguished guests and friends to the Conference.

Today, prosecutors-general and justice ministers from Asia and Europe and leading officials of relevant international organizations are gathering in Shenzhen to assess the situation, exchange experience, and discuss ways for closer cooperation under the theme of "combating cooperatively transnational organized crimes, establishing harmonious, stable and prosperous society". This is of great significance for enhancing mutual understanding, implementing the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes, and jointly combating transnational organized crimes, so as to promote harmony and prosperity in Asia, Europe and the world at large.

Linked by mountains and rivers, both Asia and Europe have a time-honored history and a splendid culture, and have made great contribution to human civilization. Today, the two continents are playing an increasingly important role in the lofty cause of world peace, development and cooperation.

Asia, with its large population, rich resources and vast market, is now the most dynamic economy in the world. And Europe, with its abundant capital resources, advanced science and technology and high degree of integration, is the world's largest developed region. The two continents have significant commonality in political affairs, strong complementarity in economic development, and distinctive features in their respective culture. It is thus in the common interests of both sides to enhance dialogue and cooperation.

It is gratifying to see that the birth and growth of ASEM have brought about a new mechanism for Asia-Europe cooperation. Consequently, cooperation has been steadily expanded and substantiated with greater achievements, and has further deepened the new type of partnership between Asia and Europe.

On the other hand, we should also recognize that the world is undergoing complex and profound changes. Peace, development and cooperation remain the major trends of our times. However, the world is far from being tranquil, and so are Asia and Europe.

Regional security and stability are faced with severe threats and challenges. Local conflicts continue to exist. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. The overall security situation is still complicated. Some new crimes are emerging now and then. Among others, transnational crimes, corruption, money laundering, terrorism, narcotics and other transnational organized crimes have become a public menace in the international community.

Although unbalanced economic development among Asian and European countries is still quite a salient issue, and countries in Asia and Europe differ from each other in their historical backgrounds, social systems, economic development levels, cultural traditions and judicial systems, peoples of the two continents all aspire to live a tranquil and happy life, and build a harmonious and prosperous society.

It serves the common interests of all countries and peoples in Asia and Europe to strengthen international cooperation and work together to fight transnational organized crimes. It is also the unshirkable responsibility of all prosecutors of Asian and European countries.

China always attaches great importance to settling the issue of crimes. We work hard to enact, and strictly implement, criminal and other relevant laws, and intensify our efforts to prevent and penalize criminal offences, so as to better protect human rights and safeguard national security and social stability.

China is a party to a number of international conventions, including the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes and the UN Convention Against Corruption. We always believe it is important to conduct international judicial cooperation. In that connection, we have signed 72 treaties and cooperation agreements on judicial assistance with 48 countries including ASEM members, concluded extradition treaties with 24 countries, and acceded to 25 multilateral international conventions concerning international judicial cooperation.

As a responsible member of the international community, China has shouldered and honored its responsibilities and obligations in combating transnational organized crimes, and China will continue to do so in the future.

We stand ready, on the basis of mutual respect and equality, to strengthen judicial cooperation with Asian and European countries, and work together to combat transnational organized crimes by enhancing information sharing, building cooperation mechanisms, expanding cooperation channels, enriching cooperation contents, and improving cooperation efficiency.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Some of you have visited China a number of times before, while others have come here for the first time. Nevertheless, you have all shown a great interest in China's development. I would like to take this opportunity to brief you on China's economic and social development.

Since the adoption of the reform and opening-up policy initiated by Mr. Deng Xiaoping 27 years ago, significant and profound changes have taken place in China. We have achieved a sustained and rapid economic growth, or an annual growth rate of 9.4% on average in the past 27 years.

It is estimated that by the end of this year, our GDP will exceed US$ 1.8 trillion, our total foreign trade volume will surpass US$ 1.4 trillion, and the total paid-in foreign investment in China will be over US$ 600 billion. We have approved the establishment of more than 500,000 foreign invested enterprises. A huge market will take shape in China, generating an import value of US$ 650 billion every year.

With reform measures moving deeper toward the kernel of the economic system, we have put in place the rudiments of a socialist market economy with openness across all fronts. We are making progress in all undertakings, including science, technology, education, culture and health. From subsistence to moderate prosperity – we have on the whole brought about a historic leapfrog improvement in our people's livelihood.

We are deepening the reform of the political system step by step, and steadily pushing forward democracy and the rule of law. A socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics has taken shape surrounding the Constitution. In addition to the Constitution and the four constitutional amendments, the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee have enacted more than 220 laws that are currently in force, the State Council has enacted over 670 administrative laws that are currently in force, the local People's Congress and its Standing Committee have enacted nearly 8,000 local laws that are currently in force, and local ethnic autonomous regions have enacted over 600 ordinances on autonomous affairs and on other specific issues.

Fundamentally, all political, economic and social activities in China are subject to the regulation of the law, and freedom and rights of Chinese citizens are protected and guaranteed by the law.

We have identified our goal for the first two decades of this century. We will work, in the next 15 years, to increase our GDP to US$ 4 trillion, or US$ 3,000 in per capita terms.

In the coming five years, namely, the period of the 11th five-year guidelines for national economic and social development, our main goal is to double the per capita GDP of 2000 by 2010 on the basis of an optimized structure, improved efficiency and decreased resource consumption, and to cut the current energy consumption per unit GDP by around 20%.

To this end, we will guide our economic and social undertakings with a concept of scientific development, and adhere to the policy of expanding domestic demand. We will stick to the path to a new type of industrialization, enhance economic restructuring, and shift the mode of economic growth.

We will strengthen our capacity of independent innovation, steadily deepen reform, and open wider to the outside world. We will also work to coordinate development among different regions, step up the building of a harmonious society, and bring our economic and social undertakings onto the track of scientific development in real earnest.

China's development will not be possible in isolation of the world, still less so in isolation of Asia and Europe. Likewise, the development of the world, Asia and Europe cannot be achieved in isolation of China.

China's development presents important opportunities to all countries in the world, especially those in Asia and Europe. With a political and social environment of stability and harmony, an abundant and skillful labor force and a market with great potentiality, China provides the world, particularly Asia and Europe, with an ideal platform for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

China will always pursue its independent foreign policy of peace, follow the principle of "good-neighborly friendship and partnership with neighboring countries", adhere to the policy of "building a neighborhood of friendship, tranquility and prosperity" to improve the exchange and cooperation with neighboring countries to a new level , and unswervingly stick to the road of peaceful development. China will, on the basis of 5 principles of peaceful coexistence, continue to develop the relationship with developed countries to expand the converging points of interests. China will continue to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation with developing countries to safeguard the common interests. China was, now is, and will always be, a staunch force for world peace and common development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us take this Conference as a new beginning, join hands together, and enhance our cooperation to fight transnational organized crimes, promote tranquility in our society, safeguard regional peace and stability, and build a harmonious world!

To conclude, I wish the ASEM Prosecutors-General Conference a complete success!

Thank you.