Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2003 opened Sunday in southernmost China's Hainan Province.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and a number of leaders of Asian countries attended the conference, along with some 1,200 Chinese and foreign delegates from the business and academic circles.

Premier Wen Jiabao says in his speech that?mutual support is the key to Asia's rejuvenation. He also urges Asian countries to open their markets wider to each other and achieve development and common prosperity through cooperation.

"Asian countries should give their respective strengths, open their markets to each other's advantages amid competition and achieve common development through cooperation. The developed counties should provide more funds and technical support to developing countries, helping them to achieve growth and enhance their capacity to participate in international economic cooperation and competition."

He also stressed the need to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation and exchanges on the basis of mutual benefit, and promote greater opening to the rest of the world.

Asia has 60 percent of the world's population. But its economic size only accounts of 25 percent of the world's total.

As for China, the Premier says China will stick to the opening-up policy, honor its WTO commitment, make its market more accessible with improved investment environment and better business conditions for Asia and other entrepreneurs. He also encourages Chinese enterprises to invest overseas.

(CRI November 2, 2003)