Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Monday sent a congratulatory message to the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Law Enforcement Organs Symposium on Combating Transnational Crimes, which opened in Beijing. The full text of the message is as follows:

On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the ASEM Law Enforcement Organs Symposium on Combating Transnational Crimes held in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the convocation of the symposium on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in my own name!

The ASEM Symposium as an opportune debut to further exchange and cooperation amongst the ASEM countries fully manifests their intense political desire to crack down on transnational crimes. Today, the ASEM law enforcement representatives are gathering in the same hall, around the theme of 'enhance ASEM cooperation to crack down on transnational crimes' to extensively and profoundly exchange their views and study counter-measures and mechanism for cooperation in combating transnational crimes. It is indeed of great significance. I believe that the ASEM members will enhance the ASEM law enforcement cooperation, effectively prevent and effectively crack down on the various increasingly rampant transnational crimes. It will certainly benefit the peoples in the two continents and further promote peace and stability in Asia, Europe and the entire world.

China is a country of time-honored civilization and etiquette. The ancient Silk Road, a major channel for exchanges between Asia and Europe played an unique role in promoting east-west communications. Beijing as the political and cultural center of China is a major showcase displaying China's achievements in reform and open policy and modernization. The ASEM Symposium held in Beijing provides a good opportunity for the Chinese law enforcement organs to exchange experiences with and learn form their counterparts and will certainly promote friendship and cooperation between friends in all the ASEM law enforcement agencies.

A new era full of hope and challenge opens in front of us. And we pledge to join hands with assiduous effort to make continuous contribution to the maintenance of tranquillity and stability in Asia and Europe and in the whole world.

I wish the current Symposium a great success!

(Xinhua News Agency 09/18/2001)