On October 24, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met at the Great Hall of the People respectively with some foreign leaders who are here for the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) scheduled on Oct. 24-25.

While meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Wen said China has firmly adhered to developing good-neighborly friendship with Cambodia. The year of 2008 not only marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Cambodian diplomatic relations, but also is celebrated as the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. China was willing to take the opportunity to work with Cambodia to enhance the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries so as to lift the China-Cambodia relations to a new stage for the benefit of both peoples, said Wen. China would continue to support the economic development of Cambodia and to promote the key cooperation projects, especially on transportation, communications and other infrastructure construction, within the framework of Great Mekong Sub-region cooperation, he said.

On the Friendship Year, Hun Sen said the related celebrations cemented the traditional friendship of the two peoples and the Cambodian people appreciated China's long-term aid. Cambodia hoped China will continue to support and participate in its economic development and further cooperate in water conservancy and infrastructure construction, he said.

While meeting with Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Wen said since China and Thailand established diplomatic relations 33 years ago, the two sides have respected and helped each other to strive for further development. The belief that “China and Thailand are as close as one family” has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. He expressed the hope that Thailand could maintain stability, harmony and economic development. Wen said China is willing to maintain high-level contacts with Thailand to solidify Sino-Thai good neighborly friendship and promote strategic cooperation. Wen proposed both sides make efforts to boost bilateral ties in the following three aspects. First, deepen economic and trade cooperation. The Chinese government will actively promote bilateral trade growth and give support to Chinese enterprises to take part in infrastructure construction in Thailand, he said. Second, promote humanities exchanges. He hoped the two sides could set up cultural centers mutually at an early date and enhance exchanges between young peoples. Third, keep closer cooperation in regional and international affairs. China is willing to cooperate with Thailand in hosting a series of East Asia meetings in Bangkok at the end of the year and push forward cooperation in East Asia.

Somchai said during the meeting that the two peoples have long been engaged in friendly contacts and the two countries have conducted mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Thailand hoped China could sustain development, which was significant to Thailand, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the whole region, he said, adding that Thailand is also willing to further exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields.

During the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Wen said China-Japan relations have been improved and developed continuously in recent years since leaders of the two countries exchanged "ice-breaking", "ice-thawing", " spring-herald" and "warm spring" visits in succession. Wen said the two sides need to treasure the hard-earned favorable relationship achieved through years of efforts. China is willing to make joint efforts with Japan on the basis of the principles set in four political documents between the two countries to build political trust, fully carry out the consensus reached by their leaders, push forward the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and endeavor to maintain regional peace and stability, Wen said. In face of the international financial crisis, there should be more policy dialogue and coordination between the two countries to maintain stability in the financial market, said Wen, citing that it is vital to the financial stability of Asia. The two sides should also expand economic and technological cooperation and improve domestic and regional economic growth, said Wen. Wen emphasized that China holds a responsible view on its food security, and is ready to strengthen cooperation in this respect with relevant countries including Japan. China and Japan have reached consensus in principle over the issue of the East Sea, and would continue to work together to solve related issues and to make it a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship, said Wen.

Aso said China and Japan are close neighbors, and should develop strategic and mutually beneficial relations. Japan is willing to keep high-level exchange with the Chinese side on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues, and enhance communication and coordination on major issues such as international finance and six-party talks. Japan attaches great importance to high-level economic dialogue between the two countries, hopes to constantly improve the mechanism and expand mutual cooperation in key areas, said Aso. Japan would take measures to encourage the exchange of young people from the two countries and improve people-to-people friendship, said Aso. He also noted that Japan hopes to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side in respect to food security and East Sea issues and appropriately solve related issues.

After the meeting, the two sides attended the signing ceremony of consular convention and the exchange of notes on jurisdiction assistance agreement of the two countries.

During his meeting with Austrian Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, Wen said that China cherished the friendship with Austria and appreciated the positive attitude from the Austrian side for strengthening cooperation with China. Further pushing forward the Chinese-Austrian relations under new circumstances would meet mutual benefits, which is one important factor contributing to closer China-Europe and Asia-Europe relations, Wen said. Wen said he hopes the two countries would increase dialogues at various levels in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust. He also noted Austria, with advanced technologies and know-how on environmental protection, energy saving and eco-agriculture, could find a bright future in the Chinese market. With the spirit of mutual benefits and a win-win target, Wen said, the two sides should proceed with more practical cooperation. One highlight of the bilateral cooperation was on the cultural exchange, which had been welcomed by both Chinese and Austrian people, Wen said. He urged both sides to fully tap this advantage and promote personnel exchanges in a broader area.

Gusenbauer said Austria attaches great importance to the relationship with China and hopes to keep high-profile exchange with the Chinese side. Austria also hopes to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture, and education, exchange views in a timely manner on major international issues and jointly cope with global challenges such as financial crises and climate change. Gusenbauer said Austria would make further contribution to a better Europe-China relationship.

When meeting 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 parties 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 also 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, and 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.