CRI听力:Northeast Asian Countries Seek Cooperation to Boost Regional Development

The fifth Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo opened in Changchun, capital city of northeast China's Jilin province on Tuesday. The six-day event is set to be an effective mechanism for northeast Asian countries to seek regional economic cooperation at this time of crisis.

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Nearly 2,200 exhibitors from northeast Asian countries such as Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Mongolia, as well as other countries including the United States, Germany and Britain are attending this year's expo.

Addressing the expo, Chinese vice premier Li Keqiang highlighted a strengthened regional economic cooperation in helping the world's economic recovery.

"Northeast Asian countries should further cooperate to jointly combat the global financial crisis and reject trade protectionism. Countries in the region should also work together to boost reform of the global financial system. These will not only help boost regional stability and development, but also contribute to the recovering of world economy."

Lee Dong-Geun, assistant minister of Knowledge Economy from South Korea said exhibitors from his country deemed the event a good platform to expand market.

"Northeast Asian countries have been hit hard since the financial crisis struck. The expo is of great significance to address the economic meltdown. Now South Korea is seeing a recovery. This is a consequence of a closer cooperation with countries such as China. I hope northeast Asian countries will use the expo as a chance to turn the challenge into an opportunity to boost economic development."

At a sideline forum held on Tuesday, politicians and economists from the region proposed their suggestions on how to deepen regional cooperation in a more practical way.

Chen Jian, Chinese vice minister of commerce, highlighted ways to reduce trade barriers.

"First, we should take action to boost free trade and stoutly protest against protectionism. Customs, inspection, quarantine and logistics department of relevant countries should take active measures to provide convenience to promote trade. Second, we should strengthen financial cooperation to maintain regional financial stability. Bilateral currency exchange mechanism should also be set up or perfected."

Chen Jian also suggested more investment in target countries and more cooperation in green industries, such as the renewable sector, to make northeast Asian economic development healthier and more stable.

XYee, CRI news.