The 1st China-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth was held on Sept 29, 2004 in Beijing. A total of 70 delegates from ASEAN countries including ministers in charge of youth affairs, officials and young entrepreneurs attended the meeting.

Centering on the theme "China- ASEAN Youth development and cooperation for a more flouring future", the ASEAN ministers expressed their will to further cooperation and exchange between youth organizations, and push forward the China-ASEAN cooperation in politics, economics and trade.

Zhou Qiang, 1st Secretary of China Communist Youth League presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. He said cooperation between the youth is an important content of the China- ASEAN cooperation. The youth cooperation and exchange will promote the friendship between the Chinese and the people in ASEAN countries; it will boost economic, cultural exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, and lay a foundation for the development of relations between China and ASEAN countries.

Zhou Qiang made five proposals for promoting friendly cooperation on youth between China and ASEAN countries:

First, to establish a communication mechanism for the youth in China and ASEAN countries.

Second, strengthen communication and cooperation in training of young people to foster young talents.

Third, to open a new channel for youth cooperation by implementing the plan of Chinese volunteers' service for ASEAN.

Fourth, carry out youth cooperation in the field of culture and tourism, and make the cooperation more extensive and in-depth.

Fifth, put up friendship association for China-ASEAN young entrepreneurs.

The meeting adopts Beijing Declaration for ASEAN-China Cooperation on Youth and Joint Work Plan for the First ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Youth

By People's Daily Online