One cannot but be impressed by the economic devastation wrought by the region's economic crisis. But I was even more impressed by the determination of the people to return to the forefront of the world economy by undertaking the reform needed to once again attract foreign investment. The governments of Southeast Asia know that they can shape their own future by the decisions they make today. This is equally true for China. This last year of economic turmoil has demonstrated that nothing can be taken for granted.
Hard work is required to insure that the vast potential of Asia is to be realized.
If we work together, our success will be inevitable.