About 100 young delegates from 34 countries and other regional organizations gathered together in Beijing Monday for an inaugural conference for young political leaders in Asia and Europe, discussing methods to intensify the youth's role in the partnership between Asia and Europe.

The conference, jointly-hosted by the All China Youth Federation (ACYF) and the Asia Europe Foundation, was aimed at the implementation of the proposals by Premier Wen Jiabao in the fifth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM). It was also the first of such activities among young political leaders in the history of ASEM.

ACYF Chairman Zhao Yong said in an opening speech that the federation will take the conference as a good opportunity to enhance the dialogue and communication between youth organizations in Asia and Europe and contribute more to the establishment of an Asian-European youth partnership.

Troels Lund Poulsen, a member of the Parliament of Denmark, said young people in Asia and Europe will not only feel the effects of globalization the most, but also should take part of the responsibility for influencing the course of global development.

He called for a greater participation of youth in the two continents in the course of regional integration and globalization.

Shen Guofang, assistant minister of China's Foreign Ministry also attend the opening ceremony.

Besides Beijing, the delegates will also visit Tianjin, a port city about 120 kilometers (75 miles) to the south of Beijing, during their week-long conference.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)