Twenty-seven years ago today, July 28, 1998 (June 6, 1998 in the lunar calendar), the meeting between ASEAN and dialogue partners opened. On July 28, 1998, the meeting between ASEAN and dialogue partners opened in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The meeting held consultations on issues such as the East Asian financial crisis and its social impact, the situation in South Asia, environmental protection, and security cooperation. This meeting is a follow-up meeting to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers 'Meeting. The nine member states of ASEAN are Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. The 10 dialogue partners are China, the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, India and the European Union. On July 28, my country's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan pointed out at the meeting between ASEAN and Dialogue Partners that the economic difficulties in Asia are severe,"but they are difficulties in the development process." China is full of confidence in Asia's development prospects. Tang Jiaxuan pointed out: How can Asia get out of its predicament? What are the development prospects of Asia? This is of concern not only to Asian countries, but also to the world. He said that like the law of development of everything, the economic development of every country, region and even the entire world cannot be smooth sailing. It is natural and inevitable that Asia's development process will have twists and turns and ups and downs. The difficulties that have arisen in Asia are severe, but they are difficulties in the development process. As for whether Asia can quickly get out of its predicament, it depends on various internal and external factors. Based on a comprehensive analysis of various conditions, we have every reason to be confident in Asia's development prospects: First, the basic conditions and favorable factors for Asia's economic growth still exist. Overall, after years of rapid growth, the Asian economy has laid a relatively solid foundation. Although it has been strongly affected by the financial crisis, the foundation of Asia's development has not been seriously damaged, and the basic economic factors remain good. Second, challenges contain opportunities. In response to problems and obstacles in economic development, Asian countries are adjusting their economic structures, transforming growth methods, improving financial management systems, and promoting scientific and technological progress. Although the Asian economy is about to go through a period of trough, as long as in the process of integrating with the international economy, we adhere to effective practices, formulate development strategies that suit our own national conditions, and carry out necessary changes, the Asian economy will not be too far off to revitalize. Third, the market potential of East Asia and Asia is far from being tapped, which is the most favorable factor for ensuring continued growth of the Asian economy. Asia's development has lasting potential. Fourth, the Asian people have created excellent cultural traditions over their long historical practice: advocating self-respect and self-reliance, hard work and frugality, and being humble and studious. As long as Asian countries promote and apply these traditions and wisdom, while integrating into the trend of the times, and absorbing the world's progress and civilization according to their own realities, economic development will be revitalized. On July 29, the meeting between ASEAN and dialogue partners concluded. Chairman of the meeting and Philippine Foreign Minister Siazon said that the meeting provided a forum for discussing how to solve regional economic problems in the next stage. He said that at the meeting, the United States reiterated its full support for multilateral financial development institutions to play a greater role in restoring financial stability in Asia; China reiterated that the RMB will not devalue; and Japan is willing to resolutely carry out financial and economic adjustments. Some ASEAN countries and dialogue partners have agreed to develop plans to help eliminate the impact of the financial crisis and support countries severely affected by the financial crisis. Siazon said that the foreign ministers of the participating countries also discussed international political issues such as the Middle East issue, the Bosnia and Herzegovina issue and the ASEAN region, and discussed transnational issues such as anti-drug and environmental protection.