"The Chinese government supports social organizations in China in their effort to fully participate in the activities of this forum, express the aspiration of China's social organizations, offer good opinions and suggestions and make constructive contribution to greater mutual understanding and friendship among people in Asia and Europe, closer solidarity and cooperation between Asia and Europe and in-depth growth of a new type of comprehensive partnership between the two regions."

The photo shows ageneral view of the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Peopl's Forum in Beijing, capital of China, on Oct. 13, 2008. More than 500 non-governmental delegates from Europe and Asia participate in the forum that aims to promote social justice and enviromental protections.

The government would continue to give vigorous support to Chinese social organizations in conducting closer exchanges and cooperation with their counterparts from across the world and to facilitate their participation in international exchanges so they can play an even greater role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and people of other countries and in the building of a harmonious world, Yang noted.

He believed the forum would "play a positive role in promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between Asia and Europe and in pushing forward the ASEM process." In addition, the forum would also make a unique contribution to maintaining world peace, stability and prosperity and promoting human progress and development, he said.

Zhang Zhijun, president of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), said the forum was faced with good opportunities at the present time when Asia and Europe enjoyed increasing cooperation.

The forum should continue to exert its own characteristics to strengthen understanding between Asian and European peoples, Zhang said.

He said the forum was a platform for exchanging experiences and ideas, for seeking solutions to some difficult issues, and for enhancing the healthy growth of Asian-European cooperation.

Zhang, on behalf of the organizing committee of the AEPF, expressed his gratitude for the Chinese government's support to the forum.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2008)