Jiang Meets Foreign Guests Attending 21st Century Forum

Chinese President meets foreign guests attending 21st Century Forum

President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Tuesday that it is very important to discuss economic globalization at the turn of the century.

Jiang told scores of international leaders who are here to attend the 21st Century Forum --2000 Conference, which begins on Wednesday, that China wants to hear the opinions of world leaders on economic globalization at the forum to expand common ground and cooperation.

The forum, sponsored by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), runs until Friday. The theme of the forum is "economic globalization -- Asia and China."

Jiang said that China's policy of reform and opening to the outside world over the past two decades has created favorable conditions for the country to participate in the economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region and the economic globalization as well.

"We are facing new opportunities and challenges at the turn of the century," Jiang said. "Economic globalization is a natural outcome of world economic development."

Any country aiming at better economic growth must rely on both domestic and world resources and markets. As countries are different, it is very important to discuss the issue of economic globalization, Jiang said.

"The aim of the forum is to hear opinions of world leaders and have a better understanding on the pros and cons of economic globalization and the interaction of economic development in different countries," he said. "We hope that will help expand common ground and cooperation, and help build a fair, just and rational new world economic order."

Some leaders said that the forum will provide a rare opportunity to discuss issues including the status of Asia and China in the world, relations between Asia and China as well as the future opportunities and challenges.

Lee Kuan Yew, senior minister of Singapore, John Malcolm Fraser, former Australian prime minister, and Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, and scores of other leaders attended today' s meeting.

CPPCC National Committee Vice-Chairman Ye Xuanping, Zheng Wantong, secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, and Tian Zengpei, chairman of the CPPCC subcommittee of foreign affairs, also attended the meeting.