第21篇 亞歐會議

我們熱烈歡迎亞歐會議在倫敦召開。亞歐兩大陸的領(lǐng)導人將要繼續(xù)進行始于曼谷的對話與合作。自曼谷會議以來，亞洲、歐洲以及世界其他地方發(fā)生了巨大的變化，這必將對亞歐關(guān)系產(chǎn)生非常深遠的影響。同大多數(shù)這類會議的首屆會議一樣，曼谷會議顯得更具有象征意義和禮節(jié)性，它主要表明了亞洲在世界舞臺上發(fā)揮著越來越大的作用。

We warmly welcome the convening of Asia-Europe meeting in London. Leaders from the two great continents are expected to continue their pursuit of dialogue and cooperation, which was initiated in Bangkok. Great changes have taken place in Asia, Europe and the rest of the world since the Bangkok meeting, and these will definitely exert a rather profound influence on the Asia-Europe relationship. The Bangkok conference, like most primary sessions of this type, seemed to be the more symbolic and ritualistic in its significance, demonstrating mainly that Asia is playing an increasing role in the world arena.

然而，人們更強烈希望本屆亞歐首腦會議更為務(wù)實和具體，并產(chǎn)生建設(shè)性的結(jié)果。具體來說，會議可以在兩方面得到加強。首先，首腦會議應(yīng)該由兩年一屆改為一年一屆，象西方七國會議和亞太經(jīng)合會議那樣。由于會議成員國有著不同的文化、歷史和政治制度，亞歐國家之間經(jīng)常性的高層交流對于彼此之間更好的了解是必不可缺的。其次，應(yīng)該建立一個常設(shè)磋商機構(gòu)以研究與分析兩大洲經(jīng)濟、貿(mào)易和金融領(lǐng)域里的重大問題。這樣的機構(gòu)要是早已建立起來的話，它就可以對可能出現(xiàn)的亞洲金融危機及早提出警告，經(jīng)濟形勢或許不會像我們今天所見到的那樣嚴重。

However, there are strong hopes that the current Asia-Europe summit will turn out to be more pragmatic and specific, with a constructive outcome. Specifically, two improvements would give the conference substance. First, the biennial summit should become an annual one, just like the G-7 and APEC conferences. Given the different cultures, histories and political systems of the members, frequent high-level exchanges between the Asian and European nations are indispensable to better mutual understanding. Second, a standing consultative organ should be set up to study and analyze important issues in the fields of economy, trade and finance on the two continents. If there had been such an establishment in the past, it might have given early warning to the potential Asian financial crisis, and the economic situation might have not been as serious as we have seen today.

平等是亞歐合作的基礎(chǔ)，自然也應(yīng)該成為亞歐會議的準則。亞歐領(lǐng)導人若要成為朋友，就應(yīng)該平等地坐在同一張桌子旁。這種平等應(yīng)該不受環(huán)境和條件的限制。無論亞洲的經(jīng)濟是處于上升階段，還是為挫折所困，如所受到的近來那場金融危機的打擊，亞洲與歐洲應(yīng)該是平等的。

Equality is the foundation of Asia-Europe cooperation, and certainly it should serve as a principle for the Asia-Europe summit. If leaders from Asia and Europe want to be friends, they should be sitting at the same table on the basis of equality. That equality should be all-weather and non-conditional. Whether its economies are on the rise or disturbed by troubles like the recent financial crisis, Asia is equal to Europe.

客觀地講，這場金融危機使一些亞洲國家受到了批評。亞洲的經(jīng)濟增長方式、金融體制和外貿(mào)政策都遭到內(nèi)外兩面的質(zhì)疑。這些評論和批評是必然的，并不令人感到奇怪。在危機發(fā)生之前，亞洲因其可歌可頌的成就而受到廣泛的贊揚。現(xiàn)在這個人口最多、面積最大的洲受到一些口頭攻擊，這是無害處的，是有益的。

Objectively speaking, some Asian countries are now vulnerable to criticism because of the crisis. Asia's method of economic growth, its financial systems and foreign trade policies are all questioned and challenged inside and outside the region. These comments and criticism are inevitable and not at all surprising. Prior to the crisis, Asia had been widely praised for its admirable economic achievements. Now it is harmless and helpful for this most populous and biggest continent to have some verbal attacks.