On October 24, 2008, leaders of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held at the Great Hall of the People a breakfast gathering, which was presided over by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. During the gathering, the leaders who are here to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) discussed unofficially and freely on issues of common concern, especially the financial crisis and its influence on East Asia. They expressed their willingness to enhance coordination and cooperation to prevent and withstand the crisis in a bid to maintain economic and financial stability of their own countries and the region at large.