Premier Wen Jiabao attended the Fourth Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue that opened in Islamabad Wednesday morning, and delivered a speech.  

In his speech, Wen looked back on Asia's history, gave his viewpoint on the region's current situation and development in the future. He also briefed the guests on China's foreign policy and its willingness to be friendly with the neighbors in particular.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also delivered a speech. He called upon all Asian nations to work together for peace, stability and prosperity, putting forward the proposal to improve cooperation including expanding trade contact, learning advanced experience, and encouraging institutionalized cooperation.

He said China's spectacular transformation and economic miracle as well as its emergence as a powerhouse for the global economy have placed China in a unique position to advance the goals of peace and prosperity in Asia, and the increasing integration of the Chinese economy with those of the region is a source of strength and stability for Asia.

Surakiart Sathirathai, deputy prime minister of Thailand, said Asia's building blocks are linked by the ACD for tomorrow's stronger and more prosperous Asian community, and Asia's wealth and strength are not merely beneficial to Asia but will also be significant contribution to security, peace and prosperity for the rest of the world.

The two-day ACD ministerial meeting will focus on Asia cooperation and its development in the future. The foreign ministers from 26 countries attended the meeting. They will hold discussion on the regional and international issues of common concern.

The ACD was established in 2002 and initiated by Thailand, and its second session was held in Qingdao, a coastal city of east China's Shandong Province.

Premier Wen is paying an official visit to South Asia covering Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Pakistan is the first leg of his tour.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2005)