Chinese premier maps out blueprint for next ASEM summit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-12 07:05

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao mapped out on Monday the blueprint for the next Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Beijing.

"China is to host the 7th ASEM summit in October 2008 in Beijing. I'm looking forward to joining hands with all leaders here to make concerted efforts to deepen the strategic dialogue between Asia and Europe," Wen said when he addressed the closing ceremony of the 6th ASEM summit, which ended here on Monday afternoon.

At the next ASEM summit, China would join hands with ASEM partners to promote trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe, and conduct more cultural exchanges and dialogues between different civilizations, to make more contributions to deepening the Asia-Europe partnership, he said.

The premier also lauded Finland, the host country of this year's summit, for making contributions to the success of the meeting.

Over the past two days, the leaders from Asia and Europe had summarized the experience and achievements over the past 10 years after the founding of the ASEM mechanism, and they had also mapped out blueprint for the future development of the ASEM, Wen said.

The 7th ASEM summit is scheduled for October 24-25, 2008.