The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) opened its third annual conference on
Saturday morning in
Hainan, China's
southernmost island province.
President Hu Jintao delivered the opening ceremony keynote
speech, entitled China's Development, Asia's Opportunity.
Hu said, "In the past few years, with the support of the
fellowship of Asian countries and the larger international
community, the BFA has developed steadily, playing an increasingly
prominent role in regional cooperation and demonstrating to the
rest of the world the fervent desire of the Asian people for a
win-win scenario through closer cooperation."
"We are glad to see that Asia has, on the whole, enjoyed stability,
with peace, development and cooperation becoming the mainstream of
an advancing Asia. Through their concerted efforts, Asian countries
have freed themselves from the shadow of the financial crisis and
overcome the impact of SARS and bird flu. We have succeeded in
domestic economic restructuring and quickened the tempo of
industrial upgrading and transformation, promoted a robust regional
cooperation, and increased the capacity to deal with potential
risks. Asia retains its position as one of the world's most dynamic
regions and a key growth point in global trade."
Hu said that his own country would expand and deepen its economic
cooperation with other Asian countries. "In this regard, China is
ready to develop comprehensive economic cooperation with fellow
Asian countries, with emphasis on trade, investment, natural
resources, information, pharmaceuticals, health services,
environmental protection, transportation, science and technology,
agriculture, poverty alleviation and development of human
resources."
Former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos expressed optimism
and confidence in his address. "Within a relatively short period,
and despite our political, religious, cultural and other
diversities, the BFA has helped to forge a strong sense of
community among our countries."
Ramos had high praise for the BFA's role in regional cooperation
and economic issues. "In spite of modest resources, the BFA has
moved quickly to the forefront of pressing regional concerns,
especially the SARS epidemic, the revival of Asian tourism, the
development of information technology, upgrading of the Asian
education system, and globalization issues."
Dr. Helmut Panke, chairman of BMW AG's Board of Management,
applauded Boao's win-win theme. "Both sides, countries as well as
companies, will benefit from their cooperation and their openness.
And both sides will bundle their strengths and know-how in such a
manner that one plus one will not only result in two, but in three,
four and even more."
"The level of participants this year is unprecedentedly high,"
said BFA Secretary-General Long Yongtu. Participants in the
conference include Chinese President Hu Jintao, Cambodian Prime
Minister Hun Sen and Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan
Jamali, as well as ministerial-level officials from a number of
countries and former Pan-Asian heads of states.
The BFA has also drawn numerous corporate leaders. Two-thirds of
this year's participants are business leaders. The international
business giants that have become the forum's sponsors include UPS
of the US and Germany's Volkswagen.
The conference this year includes several seminars devoted to
such hot topics as trade issue, Asian economic cooperation and
integration, IT standards, the Asian supply chain and the
possibility of a single Asian currency.
Long Yongtu reported that in the months to come, several other
meetings will follow the conference so that the international
discussions on these topics may continue. For example, the BFA will
cooperate with other organizations and the Iranian government to
hold a seminar on the Asian economy in June; an educational forum
will take place in Beijing this August; and the World Tourism
Conference will convene in Hangzhou. The BFA is also planning,
together with the government of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, to
hold a logistics conference.
This year's BFA conference has also drawn the largest media
representation ever. More than 400 journalists from around the
world are covering the event, bringing the Asian forum to the
attention of the wider world.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun April 24, 2004)
