Premier Wen says cooperation top priority to tackle financial crisis

Source: Xinhua | 02-03-2009 08:17

CAMBRIDGE, Britain, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday that cooperation to tide over global financial difficulties is a "top priority" and urged people to "see China in the light of development."

"To work together and tide over the difficulties has become our top priority," Wen said in his speech at the University of Cambridge, Britain, the last leg of his weeklong "trip of confidence" to Europe.

Describing the crisis as "unprecedented," Wen said the upheaval has had a severe impact on China and Britain as well as other countries in Europe.

The premier reiterated the position of the Chinese government, saying countries should first run their own affairs well and refrain from shifting troubles onto others.

They also should carry out cooperation with full sincerity and avoid pursuing their own interests at the expense of others, he said.

Moreover, countries should address both the symptoms and the root causes of the problem, Wen added.

Wen said necessary reform of the international monetary and financial systems should be carried out to establish a new international financial order that is fair, equitable, inclusive and well-managed.

"We should create an institutional environment conducive to global economic growth," he said.

In addition, Wen called for serious reflection on existing economic systems and theories in the face of the current financial crisis.