进入新世纪，国际形势继续发生深刻复杂的变化。世界多极化和经济全球化灾曲折中发展。科技进步日新月异，我们既面临着必须抓住的发展机遇，也面临着必须认真应付的严峻挑战，尽管当今世界还存在着这样那样的矛盾和利益冲突，不确定、不稳定因素有所增加，但和平与发展仍是当今时代的主题，世界要和平、国家要发展、人民要合作是不可阻挡的历史潮流。

　　In the new century, the international situation has continued to undergo profound and complicated changes. World multipolarization and economic globalization are progressing amid twists and turns. Science and technology are advancing with each passing day. We have before us both development opportunities that we must seize and grave challenges that we must deal with seriously. Despite the widespread conflicts and clashes of interests and increasing numbers of factors of uncertainty and instability in the world today, peace and development remain the overriding themes of the times. The world needs peace, countries desire development and people want cooperation. This has become an irresistible trend of history.

　　当前亚洲形势总体稳定，和平、发展、合作已成为前进中亚洲的主流。经过共同努力，亚洲有关国家摆脱了金融危机的阴影，战胜了非典和禽流感疫情的冲击，经济结构调整取得成效，产业升级换代步伐加快，区域合作方兴未艾，抗御风险能力不断增强。亚洲仍然是全球最具发展活力的地区之一，也继续是全球贸易的重要增长点之一。我们对亚洲的发展前景充满信心。

　　At present, Asia, on the whole, enjoys stability, with peace, development and cooperation becoming the mainstream of an advancing Asia. With concerted efforts, relevant Asian countries have freed themselves from the shadow of the financial crisis, overcome the impact of SARS and bird flu, succeeded in economic restructuring, quickened the tempo of industrial upgrading and transformation, promoted a robust regional cooperation, and increased the capacity to tide over potential risks. Asia has retained its position as one of the world's most dynamic regions and a key growth point in global trade. We are full of confidence in the future of Asia's development.