Asian, Euro leaders start summit in Beijing with financial crisis topping agenda

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from 45 Asian and European nations and organizations would shortly begin their summit in Beijing on Friday afternoon, with agenda to be dominated by tackling the global financial crisis.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was giving a red-carpet welcome to the leaders in the Great Hall of the People before President Hu Jintao delivers a key-note speech at the opening ceremony.

This is the largest gathering of leaders under the Asia-Europe Meeting since its inception in 1996.