On October 24, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met at the Great Hall of the People with European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso.

Wen said the launch of the comprehensive partnership of strategic cooperation between China and EU was aimed at pushing forward long-term stable, healthy development of bilateral ties and it was also of great importance to the world's peace and development. He said China respected the important role the EU played on the world stage, and was willing to enhance coordination with the EU in major regional and international issues on the basis of mutual respect and trust.

According to Wen, China and the EU could collaborate in a wide range of fields, but currently both sides should focus on economic and trade cooperation to sustain economic growth of both sides and jointly overcome the global financial crisis. He also urged the two sides to strengthen dialogue on politics and legal systems, put aside differences and achieve harmony to set an example for harmonious coexistence and common development between different social systems and civilizations.

Wen said this year's ASEM was held against the backdrop of a spreading global financial crisis, and that China was willing to cooperate closely with the EU to push for a fruitful meeting. He said Asian and European countries should send a positive message to the world through the ASEM that they had the confidence and determination to maintain financial and economic stability and tide over the crisis through cooperation.

Barroso said the EU was willing to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership of strategic cooperation with China to tackle the challenges brought by the global financial crisis and climate change on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, adding that it is vital to both EU and the world at large. He said the EU was looking forward to further exchanging opinions on major international issues and EU-China relations with Chinese leaders in the upcoming 11th China-EU Summit later this year, and hoped the two sides would make more achievements in their dialogue on bilateral trade.

Hailing China’s responsible attitude, proposals and measures towards the international financial crisis, Barroso said China was an important stabilizing factor in the global economy. The current summit is well timed and of great significance, he said. The EU was willing to strengthen communication with China and other countries through this year's ASEM to make joint efforts to safeguard the stability of the global financial market and maintain the healthy development of the global economy, he said. The EU had always been a supporter of open trade policy and opposed trade protectionism taking advantage of the current situation, he added.