China will host an informal and nonbinding summit, the Asia-Europe Meeting, known as ASEM, on October 24-25. It will be attended by the leaders of more than 40 countries.
"The seventh ASEM summit will take place against the backdrop of a major economic crisis," Qin Gang said. "Naturally, the issue will be discussed at the summit."
He also urged measures to protect emerging economies from the financial crisis, which broke out after massive defaults on risky housing loans in the United States and spread to Asia and Europe, leading to record losses on financial markets, rising interest rates, and a liquidity shortage.
"Developing countries are especially vulnerable to economic instability, and the global community must not forget about their interests," Gang said.
The official also said China was considering taking part in a summit in Washington on November 15 that is to focus on the global financial crisis.
The Washington summit will bring together leaders from the world's top economies, who will "review the progress being made to address the current crisis and seek agreement on the principles of reform needed to avoid a repetition and assure global prosperity in the future."
The Beijing forum will also address international peace, sustainable development, climate change, energy, food security, terrorism, and human rights.
