Foreign and Military Affairs

Wen to meet with European financial leaders

By Ai Yang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-29 06:56

BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with top European Union financial leaders in Brussels during the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to talk about world economic issues including financial reform.

The theme of the eighth ASEM summit in the European capital on Oct 4 and 5 is "achieving greater well-being and more dignity for all citizens", said Fu Ying, vice-foreign minister at a news briefing on Tuesday. "Premier Wen will meet with the European Central Bank president (Jean-Claude Trichet) and other senior financial leaders in the EU to discuss the world economy in the post-financial crisis era."

Promoting the world economy, financial reform, and climate change are some of China's major focuses during the summit, said Fu.

"We propose to continue sustainable revival and development with a strategic and long-term view in mind," she said.

"It's crucially important for China that Europe maintains overall economic stability, overcomes the crisis and restores growth."

Fu said that China will maintain a "positive attitude" on European sovereign debt and will not take advantage of economic difficulties in the EU.

After the outbreak of the European sovereign debt crisis, China did not sell its European debt holdings, Fu said, adding that China's support will continue.

Fu said trade volume between China and the EU has exceeded $300 billion for the first eight months of this year and has seen a rise of 36.2 percent compared to last year.

Wen will also issue joint statements with leaders of other country on issues of common concern such as the G20 summit in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and the Cancun climate summit in Mexico, both set for November. Bilateral meetings may not be substantial this time as Wen's schedule is "very tight", Fu added.

From Oct 2 to 9, Wen will also visit Greece, Belgium, Italy and Turkey. In Athens, Wen will meet his counterpart George Papandreou, and sign a series of deals.

"There are going to be quite a number of projects with Greece this time, especially in the shipping area," said Fu.

In Belgium, Wen will meet Prime Minister Yves Leterme and sign agreements concerning nuclear and communication cooperation. The focus of the Italy trip is to discuss how to solve the economic crisis and cooperate in technology and environmental protection.

Sources with the Foreign Ministry said Wen will also attend events celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy and the opening ceremony of the Chinese Culture Year during his stay.

The Chinese Culture Year will run from October to September 2011. China will hold a series of activities in more than 10 Italian cities, including Rome, Florence and Milan, to display traditional Chinese culture and progress in modern times.

In Turkey, Wen will meet with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

While in Brussels, Wen will also attend the 13th China-EU summit on Oct 6.