The Ninth ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM9) was held on 25-26 May in Hanoi, Vietnam. On 26 May, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi gave a comprehensive interview to a group of Chinese journalists about the meeting.

Q: How has FMM9 implemented the outcomes of the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) held last year in Beijing?

Yang Jiechi: Last October, the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting was successfully held in China against the backdrop of significant challenges brought by the global financial crisis. Leaders of 45 ASEM partners gathered in Beijing and had in-depth exchange of views on such important and pressing issues as the international economic and financial situation, food security, disaster relief cooperation, energy security and climate change, international and regional situation, and dialogue among civilizations. The meeting was a very fruitful one. It adopted three outcome documents, namely the Statement on the International Financial Situation, the Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Chair's Statement, and approved 17 cooperation initiatives.

At FMM9, all participants agreed that the three outcome documents of ASEM7 should be comprehensively implemented. Joint efforts should be made to bolster confidence and deal with the international financial crisis, actively address the threat posed by H1N1 flu and other infectious diseases, strengthen cooperation on climate change, uphold global energy and food security, and promote the settlement of hotspot issues and regional disputes. Participants briefed the meeting on progress in implementing the 17 initiatives approved at ASEM7, and pledged to boost economic and social development as well as cultural exchanges for common development of Asia and Europe. The meeting also made clear its position on the DPRK's nuclear test.

Q: How has FMM9 dealt with the subject of international financial crisis?

Yang Jiechi: The international financial crisis is still spreading and worsening, and has taken a heavy toll on economies around the world. In Asia and Europe, some countries have run into difficulties and many developing countries have suffered greatly. Under these circumstances, it is very fitting that FMM9 has focused its discussions around the theme of "Forging a Closer Asia-Europe Partnership to Address the Financial and Economic Crisis and Other Global Challenges".

The ASEM partners account for 50% of the world's GDP and 58% of the world's population. Countries in Asia and Europe play a very important role in dealing with the once-in-a-century crisis. At the meeting, participants from Asia and Europe agreed that it is important to further implement the Statement on the International Financial Situation adopted at ASEM7 and the consensus of the G20 London Summit, vigorously promote cooperation on trade and investment, speed up economic restructuring, stabilize markets, increase job opportunities and reduce the impact of the crisis on the real economy. Efforts should be made to bring about a fair, just, inclusive and well-managed international financial order, and to oppose trade protectionism in all its manifestations, particularly attempts to raise the market access threshold under various pretexts and adoption of beggar-thy-neighbor practices. It is also important to provide assistance and concessional financing to low-income countries and poor countries, and support the efforts of developing countries to uphold financial stability and promote economic growth. This will help the world meet the UN Millennium Development Goals as scheduled.

Q: What is China's view on Asia-Europe cooperation? What kind of role has China played in the ASEM process?

Yang Jiechi: ASEM was established in 1996. It is the highest-level and largest inter-governmental forum between Asia and Europe. Asia and Europe come from the same continent. We both support multilateralism, stand for settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation, and share a fair amount of consensus on many international and regional issues. Asia has plentiful labor resources and bright development prospects, and Europe has advanced productive forces and managerial expertise. We have much to offer each other and great potential for cooperation. Faced with various challenges brought by globalization, Asia and Europe are tied together and interdependent. Mutually beneficial cooperation should be the common strategic choice of all Asian and European countries. Enhanced political dialogue, economic cooperation and social and cultural exchanges will promote understanding and trust between Asia and Europe and peace, stability, development and harmony in the world.

As an active proponent and constructive participant of the ASEM process, China is committed to the deepening and improvement of Asia-Europe cooperation. Through the platform of ASEM, China has in the past 13 years explained its vision of peaceful development, promoted international development cooperation, advanced the prosperity of Asia and Europe through its own development, and played an active role in seeking the settlement of major international and regional issues. Amidst the spreading and worsening global financial crisis, China has taken concrete steps to boost confidence, unity and coordination among countries in Asia and Europe. These efforts have been widely appreciated.

Q: What are China's expectations of the future development of ASEM?

Yang Jiechi: China has always attached importance to the role of ASEM and actively participated in the ASEM process in the spirit of expanding common ground, shelving differences and promoting cooperation.

Under the complex and evolving international situation, many regional organizations face the challenge of accurately positioning themselves and remaining relevant. China supports the view that ASEM should inherit and carry forward its good traditions, continue to be an open and evolutionary process, enhance institutional building, and become more effective and results-oriented. This way, it can keep abreast of the changing situation and make even greater contribution to world peace and development.