The free exchange of views, the informality of the process and the wide-ranging dialogue all make up the added value that ASEM offers. The ASEM process supplements the ever-growing bilateral relationship between the EU and China. China is participating actively in the wide-ranging work programme of ASEM, particularly in the fields of science and technology as well as human rights. At the recent London summit, the EU and China also held their first-ever summit. Fostering political dialogue In the political field, improved understanding through the ASEM process is helping Asia and Europe promote common interests in global fora and discuss regional problems.
Global issues require global responses.
The Asiaurope Environment Technology Centre in Thailand, has been launched and there will be more co-operation on environment disaster preparedness. The ASEM dialogue is expected to achieve concrete results in other fora as well. It aims at encouraging and intensifying investment flows between Europe and Asia and vice versa. IPAP deals with both investment promotion and investment regulation. Joint seminars on these issues are under preparation to allow for an informal but concrete dialogue between experts.