On May 25, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi delivered a speech at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Foreign Ministers' Meeting (ASEM FMM 9), appealing to the participants to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation and join hands to cope with the global financial crisis and fight A/H1N1 flu.

He said that the fate of Asia and Europe is linked closely against the background of deepening globalization. The participants should reinforce cooperation, increase mutual trust and build a closer new type of partnership between Asia and Europe. The global financial crisis has not yet bottomed and Asian and European countries generally face development difficulties. A/H1N1 flu threats people's health and the big fluctuations of energy and food prices influence people's life and production.

He called on the participants to make concerted efforts to recover and promote the economic growth, oppose protectionism in whatever form, take tangible actions to help the developing countries maintain financial stability and jointly tackle the financial crisis. He also appealed to enhance communication and cooperation, expand information exchanges, actively address the threats of infectious diseases like A/H1N1 flu and minimize the impact of the flu on the international trade and economic activities. He also asked all parties concerned to increase input in various fields including finance, trade, assistance, environment, IPR and technology transfer and jointly maintain food security in the world.

He added that China, as a responsible member of the international community, always takes an active part in the international cooperation on addressing the financial crisis. China will continue to join hands with other Asian and European countries to intensify macroeconomic policy coordination, push forward the reform of international financial system, maintain the stability of multilateral trade regime and make due contributions to accelerate the world economic recovery and growth.

The two-day ASEM FMM 9 opened at the National Convention Center of Vietnam in Hanoi on the afternoon of May 25. The meeting will mainly discuss such topics as how to strengthen Asia-Europe cooperation and cope with the global financial crisis, the dialogue among cultures and civilizations and the future development of ASEM.