On October 4, 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels.

Wen said that in October 2008 when the international financial crisis broke out and spread out quickly across the world, the Seventh ASEM Summit was held in Beijing and a statement on international financial situation was issued, which sent out to the world a strong signal that Asia and Europe would work together to face the challenges. Over the past two years, Asian and European countries and the international community helped each other overcome difficulties and respond to the international financial crisis. Remarkable results have been achieved. The world economy has entered a slow track of recovery, but the outlook of the global economy is still greatly uncertain.

Wen pointed out that Asia-Europe cooperation is currently standing at a new historical starting point and facing new development opportunities. Asia and Europe should grasp opportunities to adapt to the situation and work together to advance the process of Asia-Europe cooperation from a strategic and long-term perspective, boost the world economic growth, promote international economic and financial system reform, address major global challenges, enhance exchanges and mutual learning between global civilizations, and maintain the peace and stability of Asia and Europe.

Wen said that China is a strong advocate and promoter of Asia-Europe cooperation, firmly pushes the parties to conduct political dialogues, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges, seek for common ground while putting aside differences, and build consensus. China will continue to contribute to consolidating and deepening the new partnership between Asia and Europe.

Wen Jiabao concluded that trust stems from exchanges and cooperation brings win-win results. “We must work together hand in hand to create a better future for the prosperity and harmony of Asia and Europe.”

The ASEM was established in 1996 as an intergovernmental forum for inter-regional dialogue between Asia and Europe. The ASEM summit is the highest-level meeting of ASEM. The theme of this summit is “improving people's livelihood: to improve the welfare and dignity of citizens” and the participates will have discussions on a number of topics including improving global financial and economic governance, sustainable development, global issues, international situation, regional hot issues, social and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe and the future of ASEM. The summit also formally accepted Russia, Australia, and New Zealand as ASEM’s members, increasing the number of members to 48.