"China is to host the 7th ASEM summit in October 2008 in Beijing, I'm looking forward to join hands with all leaders here to make concerted efforts to deepen the strategic dialogue between Asia and Europe," Wen said when he addressed the closing ceremony of the 6th ASEM summit, which ended here Monday afternoon.

Wen said that at the 7th ASEM summit, China would join hands with ASEM partners to promote trade and economic cooperation between Asia and Europe, and conduct more cultural exchanges and dialogue between different civilizations, so as to make more contribution to deepening the Asia-Europe partnership.

The premier also lauded Finland, the host of the 6th ASEM summit, for making contribution to the success of the current summit.

Over the past two days, the leaders from Asia and Europe had summarized the experience and achievements over the past 10 years after the founding of the ASEM mechanism, and they had also mapped out blueprint for the future development of the ASEM, Wen said.

The 7th ASEM summit is to be held in Beijing of China on Oct. 24-25, 2008.

In a previous speech delivered to the 6th ASEM summit on Monday, Wen also expounded his views on the future development of ASEM and put forward the following proposals:

-- to expand dialogue and cooperation;

-- to increase its influence on international issues;

-- to respect the diversity of cultural traditions, social systems and development models, so as to make the world more harmonious and colorful;

-- to push forward substantial economic cooperation and boost the healthy and steady expansion of world economy;

-- to enhance communication with outside world and keep the openness of the ASEM mechanism.