Zhu Rongji takes to European stage
Zhu Rongji takes to European stage
BEIJING (Reuters): China's new Premier, Zhu Rongji, meets
European and Asian leaders in London this week on a trip that
will highlight Beijing's key role in helping Asia escape its
financial crisis.
Zhu kicks off his first overseas trip since being elevated to
Premier this month with an official visit to Britain starting
tomorrow.
He stays on in London for the second Asia-Europe Meeting
(ASEM) on April 2-3 before visiting France from April 5-7. A
China-EU summit is scheduled on the sidelines of ASEM.
ASEM will give China a new opportunity to project its emerging
leadership role in Asia during the financial crisis. The region's
economic troubles will dominate the meeting of 15 European and 10
Asian nations.
In stark contrast to Asian economic superpower Japan --
criticized for not doing enough to lift Asia out of its woes --
China under Zhu's guidance has been winning plaudits by making
all the right moves.
Zhu has pledged not to devalue the Chinese currency and
unleash China's export juggernaut on its weakened neighbors. He
has also formulated a $32 billion plan to shore up the nation's
shaky banks.
In addition, China has announced plans for massive
infrastructure spending -- figures range from $750 billion to
$1.0 trillion -- to boost its economy.
European nations will be seeking to repair damage from
criticism among some Asian countries that they were slow to
respond to Asia's plight.
Britain has proposed a trust fund at the World Bank to provide
technical assistance for financial restructuring in Asia and to
assess the impact on poverty. London has offered to kick in five
million sterling ($8.2 million).
Thailand is expected to push for a restructuring of its debt;
Korea will press for reassessment of its credit ratings.
Zhu, 69, will be one of several newly-installed Asian leaders
at the ASEM meeting. Others will include South Korean President
Kim Dae-jung and Indonesian Vice President B.J. Habibie.
Despite prickly sensitivities in Asia, European countries are
likely to bring up the issue of human rights, including the
sexual exploitation of children.
Several Asian nations are already bridling because of Europe's
decision not to invite Burma to the gathering because of the
harsh policies of its military government.