Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China Attends the Leadership Dialogue of the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Capital of Malaysia, and Delivers an Important Speech Titled the Peaceful Development of China and Opportunities for East Asia

On December 12 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China attended the Leadership Dialogue of the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, and delivered an important speech titled the Peaceful Development of China and Opportunities for East Asia.

The venue of the conference center of Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur was freshly decorated. The logo "Leadership Dialogue of the East Asia Summit" on the background wall of chairman's platform caught everyone's eye. There were nearly 800 business leaders and entrepreneurs from East Asian countries and regions present at the Dialogue.

In his speech Premier Wen reviewed the process of economic development of East Asia, elaborated on the achievements of China since reform and opening up and the relationship between China and ASEAN, and put forward rational recommendations and proposals on the cooperation between China and ASEAN, between ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea, and between ASEAN and other regions. The participants applauded from time to time.

While summarizing the economic development of the world and East Asia, Premier Wen pointed out, "economic globalization and regional cooperation are deepening. The economic competition on the global scale is getting intensified. Irrational international economic order still exists. New forms of trade protectionism are emerging. East Asian countries have been following the trend of economic globalization in recent years by adjusting the economic order, further opening up, and promoting regional cooperation. Remarkable achievements have been made with the economic and social development.

Introducing the achievements China made over the past 27 years since reform and opening up, Premier Wen said that the Chinese economy has been growing at a rate of 9.4% and China has made tremendous achievements for the modernization drive. However, China will remain in an under-developed stage for a long period of time. There are still many difficulties and challenges ahead of us. China will take advantage of the scientific concept of development to lead the overall social and economic development, accelerate the strategic adjustment of economic structure, find a new path for industrialization, enhance the independent innovation capability, strengthen the building of a harmonious society, participate actively in economic globalization and adhere to the opening strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results.

He pointed out that China could neither develop in isolation of the world nor in Isolation of East Asia. China pursues a foreign policy of building good neighborly relationships and partnerships with neighboring countries, which consolidated the relationship with neighboring countries. China is dedicated to the East Asian cooperation with the goal of creating an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. China hopes to strengthen the peace and prosperity of the region through cooperation and meanwhile create a favorable external environment for self-development.

Wen pointed out that the business community is the major force driving the economic development of all nations, and the economic and trade bridge linking China and other East Asian nations. I hope that the friends from the business community can work with us to grasp the opportunity presented by economic development of China and the region to expand exchange, strengthen cooperation and make greater contribution to the economic and social development of East Asian region.

Participants spoke highly of the speech delivered by Premier Wen. Majid, former Ambassador of Malaysia to China, said, "we'd like to express our warm welcome for the comments made by Premier Wen on further strengthening the friendly cooperative relations between China and ASEAN. The introduction of Premier Wen to China's self-development polices as well as the policy governing the development of relationship with neighboring countries increased our understanding of China.

Datuk Yong Ah Pwi, President of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce said that the policy of creating an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood mentioned by Premier Wen provides a good macro environment for regional development. Therefore it is of great significance.