The UNESCAP 60th Session is held in Shanghai from April 22nd to 28th , 2004. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing gave a foreword to the UNESCAP 60th Session Special Issue of UN Focus ( Vol. 15 April 2004). The full text is as follows:

A Great Honour for China

By H.E. Mr. Li Zhaoxing

Minister of Foreign Affairs

The People's Republic of China

In the 21st century, civilization is highly developed. Nevertheless, regional wars and conflicts, poverty and diseases, environmental degradation, terrorism and other problems that have plagued the mankind remain unsolved. People across the globe hold stronger aspiration for peace and development. In the face of challenges, it's necessary to step up international and regional cooperation, adhere to multilateralism and have the United Nations play a greater role in promoting world peace and common development for the humanity.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) was the pioneer of the cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. For more than half a century, UNESCAP has, in pursuit of its goals of improving the welfare of the people in the region, served as an important channel for economic and social exchanges and cooperation among its members. With efforts in the past 50 years and more, it has played a catalyzing role for the regional cooperation and contributed to the development in the Asia-Pacific region.

With its steady and balanced economic and social development, China has widened and deepened the cooperation with UNESCAP. We have jointly implemented up to 130 cooperative projects. In 1992, the 48th UNESCAP Session was successfully held in Beijing. The Asian and Pacific Center for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM), an affiliate of UNESCAP, opened its headquarters in Beijing in 2002.

It is even more satisfying that the UNESCAP holds its 60th session in Shanghai, China, the birthplace of its forerunner, ECAFE, from 22nd to 28th April. This is yet another expression of close cooperation between the UNESCAP and the Chinese Government, and China's strong support to multilateralism.

With the theme of Meeting the Challenges in an Era of Rapid Globalization by Strengthening Regional Development Cooperation, which reflects the common aspiration of the people in the region, the session will discuss the regional economic and social situation, poverty alleviation, addressing globalization and social problems. During the session, important events will be held, such as the High-level Visionary Meeting for Asia and the Pacific 2020, Asia-Pacific Business Forum, the Signing Ceremony of the Inter-governmental Agreement on Asian Highway Network and the Briefing on the United Nations High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Guests from the United Nations, Governments of the 62 members and associate members of UNESCAP as well as relevant international organizations will gather to sum up experiences in the regional cooperation and depict the prospect of the Asia-Pacific developments. It's of great honour for the Chinese Government to host this grand gathering.

There is still a long way to go to realize the common development goals. The Chinese people stand ready to work together with people of other UNESCAP members and associate members for expanded regional cooperation, an "all-win" new international economic order based on equality and mutual trust,a lasting peace,and common development in Asia and the Pacific and the world.