The Fifth ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting was held in Dalian on July 22-24, 2003. 200 official representatives, 28 delegations from 25 ASEM member countries, European Commission, WTO, Asia-Europe Business Forum were present at the meeting. More than 300 journalists from international major medias reported the meeting.

The ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting is a professional forum of minister’s level, which plays a role of coordinating and supervising Asia-Europe trade cooperation. It was held every two years before 2001, and once a year since 2001. The themes of this ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting include: Asia-Europe trade and investment cooperation, WTO and regional economic cooperation, and cooperation between industries etc. The results of the meeting will be reported to the ASEM Summit Meeting.

The meeting successfully promoted trade and economic cooperation among ASEM member countries, the delegates have spoken highly of the contents and outputs of the meeting, as well as its logistics service and reception work.

China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges was entrusted by the Ministry of Commerce to organize the above event.