Special report: Premier Wen attends int'l meetings, visits Singapore    

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (7th L) pose for group photos with leaders of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, and those of Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand before the opening of the third East Asia Summit (EAS) in Singapore, Nov. 21, 2007.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SINGAPORE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Third East Asia Summit (EAS) concluded here on Wednesday, with leaders from 16 EAS nations signing a declaration on climate change, energy and environment issues.

    Concerned about the adverse impact of climate change on socio-economic development, health and the environment, particularly in developing countries, EAS member countries vowed to carry out individual and collective actions to address climate change, improve energy efficiency, and reduce deforestation.

    The Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment was signed Wednesday afternoon by the 16 leaders of EAS in the Third East Asia Summit at the Shangri-La hotel.

Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2007 shows the meeting place of the third East Asia Summit (EAS) in Singapore. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, leaders of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, and those of Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand attend the summit.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "East Asia's dramatic transformation is the biggest growth story of our times. Powered by the rapid emergence of China and India, the region is on the move and surging ahead," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Third East Asia Summit.

    "The most serious long-term challenge confronting all of us today is climate change," he said, "This is why we have chosen the inter-related themes of 'Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable development' for our discussion."

    EAS member countries recognize that rapid economic development poses new challenges in dealing with greater energy consumption, regional and global energy security concerns, the declaration said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) attends the third East Asia Summit (EAS) in Singapore, Nov. 21, 2007. Leaders of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, and those of Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand also attend the summit.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    It stressed that all countries should play a role in addressing the common challenge of climate change, based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and leaders of the ASEAN member countries, and those of Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand attended the summit.

    The EAS involves ASEAN member countries, namely, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as six other countries, namely, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

    The declaration said that the EAS countries are committed to the common goal of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in the long run, at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. They will also support the work to achieve a common understanding on a long-term aspirational global emissions reduction goal to pave the way for a more effective post-2012 international arrangement.

    The EAS countries have deepened their understanding of the region' s vulnerability to climate change, the declaration said. Therefore, they will take appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as encouraging the deployment of clean technology in the region, and exchanging of scientific and technical expertise in partnership with international experts.

    The leaders also agreed to intensify ongoing cooperation to improve energy efficiency, and the use of cleaner energy, the declaration says. They decide to enhance regional cooperation to develop cost effective carbon mitigation technologies, cleaner fossil fuel technologies, and sustainable biofuels.

    The EAS countries will cooperate for the development and use of civilian nuclear power, in a manner ensuring nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it added.

    The declaration also said the EAS countries plans to promote cooperation on afforestation and reforestation while reducing deforestation, forest degradation and forest fires.

    The leaders promised in the declaration to achieve an EAS-wide aspirational goal of increasing cumulative forest cover in the region by at least 15 million hectares of all types of forests by 2020.

    They also pledged to continue support for the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity at regional and global levels.

    The declaration said the EAS countries will promote integrated water resource management for safe drinking water through initiatives such as the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit in December 2007, the Singapore International Water Week in June 2008.

    The declaration encouraged sustainable national management of mineral resources and promote enviromentally-sound and efficient mining practices.

    As to environmental challenges posed by rapidly growing urbanization in the region, the EAS countries appreciated initiatives such as "Low Carbon Society," "Compact Cities," "Eco-Cities" and "Environmentally Sustainable Transport."

    The declaration welcomed at the end Singapore's proposal to convene an EAS Conference on Liveable Cities in June 2008 to address the interrelated issues of urbanization, climate change, energy, and the environment.

    When first held in 2005, the EAS countries decided to intensify regional cooperation in five areas of concern -- finance, education, health disaster mitigation and energy security.

    The EAS is a pan-Asia forum to be held annually by the leaders of 16 countries in East Asia and the region. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 14, 2005 and the 2nd summit was held in Cebu, Philippines on Jan. 15.

    The 14th ASEAN Summit and the 4th East Asia Summit will be held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2008.

Chinese Premier attends East Asia Summit

    SINGAPORE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the third East Asia Summit (EAS) which opened here Wednesday.

    Leaders of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, and those of Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand are also present. Full story

East Asia grouping urged to broaden, deepen co-op

    SINGAPORE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Current EAS chairman and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said here Wednesday that "We should continue to broaden and deepen cooperation activities with the EAS framework."

    While making opening remarks at the 3rd East Asia Summit (EAS) which was held here Wednesday, Lee said, "As the number and scope of activities increase, we will need better coordination and strong structures to support the EAS process. Full story

Backgrounder: East Asia Summit

   SINGAPORE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The third East Asia Summit (EAS) opened here Wednesday in Singapore, back-to-back with the 13th the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) Summit and other related Summits.

    The third EAS was participated by heads of state or government of the ASEAN countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.  Full story