On April 25, 2004, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Kim Hak-Su at the Shanghai International Conference Center. Li expressed his welcome for the holding of the 60th Session of the ESCAP in Shanghai and his appreciations for Kim's contributions to promoting cooperation between the ESCAP and China.

Li said that Shanghai is the birthplace of the ESCAP. The holding of the 60th Session of the ESCAP in Shanghai, which is of great significance, represents a commemoration of the contributions by the ESCAP to promoting the economic and social development of the region over decades and is conducive to enhancement regional cooperation and the development of the ESCAP itself. Li noted that China, on the occasion of this Session, hopes to reaffirm its consistent support for and strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations (UN). This session, with the goal of responding to the challenges presented by globalization and in line with the theme of regional cooperation, reflects the good aspiration shared by all Asia-Pacific countries to boost cooperation within the UN framework and represents a strong support for the UN and multi-lateralism. As the hosting country, China hopes that during this session positive results could be achieved in terms of promoting cooperation for regional development and realizing the UN Millennium Development Goals. China has put forward Shanghai Declaration and the draft resolution to enhance capacity building in public health in the hope that while taking into considerations the special situations and development status quo of the region, the ESCAP could make more detailed targets for cooperation and expand consensuses in poverty alleviation, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, public health and other fields.

Kim spoke highly of the efforts made by China for the convening of this session. He said that this session, which is future-oriented and aimed at a comprehensive planning of the regional development of the Asia-Pacific region, would help to boost cooperation with China and is of great significance in the ESCAP's history.