The one-day meeting -- known as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia -- also witnessed the signing of a Declaration on Eliminating Terrorism and Promoting Dialogue among Civilizations.

The meeting was attended by heads of state and government and representatives from 16 countries.

President Jiang Zemin pledged to continue promoting constructive and friendly cooperation with conference member states in compliance with the conference principles of strengthening interaction and confidence-building for enhanced regional security.

The idea of convening the conference was first introduced at the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 1992 by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Chairing yesterday's meeting, Nazarbayev said that the conference -- a multilateral forum for peace and security -- discusses vital political problems and provides for necessary guarantees to ensure sustainable economic growth in the region.

In his opening remarks, he called on all conference participants to display restraint and responsibility in their relations with each other to avoid large-scale conflict and any escalation of tension in Asia.

When Jiang addressed the summit, he applauded the conference for having gradually developed into a unique and valuable forum for the deliberation of issues concerning Asian security and cooperation. He called yesterday's meeting an important milestone in this process.

Jiang noted that China, a conference member and a friendly neighbour of Kazakhstan, has been an active participant in the conference's activities.

Commenting on the current security situation in Asia, Jiang said the continent still faces the arduous task of fighting terrorism, with some local conflicts intensifying and extremist forces acting unchecked.

"We sincerely hope that parties in conflict in this region solve their disputes in a peaceful way in the fundamental interests of this region's peace and security," Jiang said.

He added that the management of Asian affairs should depend on the Asian people and their solidarity and cooperation.

Jiang said China wants to establish and develop friendly relations and cooperation with all other Asian countries.

China has taken an active part in and has vigorously promoted multilateral cooperation within Asia, such as establishing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. China has also taken part in dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and has made unremitting efforts to settle certain regional conflicts, he added.

The facts have proven that China's foreign policy and diplomatic practices have contributed to Asian peace, stability and security, Jiang said. A stable, more developed and prosperous China is conducive to peace and development in both Asia and the world at large, he added.

Turning to counter-terrorism, a major topic at yesterday's conference, Jiang said terrorist activities have been particularly rampant in Asia.

Jiang reiterated that China resolutely condemns and opposes all forms of terrorism. He said that China has already cooperated effectively with other countries and international organizations in this regard.

He said the separatists of the so-called East Turkistan are "an out-and-out terrorist force" and have committed terrorist crimes not only in China but also in other countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia supports the conference process and hopes that Asian countries can strengthen their cooperation in their counter-terrorism efforts and regional security.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said his country hopes to solve the current India-Pakistan tension through dialogue and consultation.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said: "None of the problems that Asia is facing could not be solved through dialogue."

(China Daily June 5, 2002)