Delegates to this month's summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) are to discuss global economic and social development as well as the current financial crisis, and make future action plans, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in a written response to Xinhua questions.

Yang said the summit would focus on the world economic and financial situation, and global issues such as food security and disaster relief cooperation, and sustainable development.

Leaders from Asian and European countries would communicate and coordinate on the issues, deliver documents and pragmatic cooperation proposals, and make action plans for the next stage, Yang said.

As usual, the summit would issue a chairman's statement, expounding the stances of Asia and Europe on major international and regional issues.

"This summit is an important international meeting set against special global conditions. The world financial crisis is getting worse. Global issues such as energy, climate change and food security interweave, and the international community is facing serious challenges," Yang said.

He said convening of the ASEM summit under such an global background showed the resolution of Asia and Europe to jointly deal with these challenges.

"The information released by the leaders in the summit will be closely watched by the international community," he said.

He believed the summit would help achieve more consensus, promote exchanges and cooperation between the two regions, and benefit the peoples.

The seventh ASEM summit is set for Oct. 24 and 25 in Beijing. Leaders and delegates from 45 Asian and European countries and organizations will gather for the summit.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)